Lawmakers Take Hot, Broke Summer Ice Cream Tour to Queens; Fight Rising Energy Bills & Climate Change

QUEENS, NY (08/16/2023) (readMedia)-- It's "hot, broke summer," with soaring heat and skyrocketing energy bills, and Queens residents and elected officials are demanding relief from Governor Hochul in the form of NY-HEAT, a bill that would fight climate change and save working New Yorkers $75 per month on their energy bills. Following the kick-off in Brooklyn, elected leaders and advocates are passing out free ice cream on this hot summer day to help constituents stay cool and promote awareness of the legislation.

New Yorkers are living through extreme weather this summer and paying increasingly expensive utility bills thanks to ConEd rate hikes, effective as of August. ConEd's 2023 earnings are, so far, more than double those in 2022, yet the company is raising energy prices around 9% this month and another 4% in January 2024. It's only going to get worse unless New York gets off fossil fuels, and the NY HEAT Act is the solution: legislation that would save New Yorkers $75/month on their energy bills and cut the greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change. Lawmakers and advocates are calling on Governor Hochul to offer more than warnings to "stay safe," by committing to including the NY HEAT Act in her 2024 executive budget. The bill passed the senate in June, and already has 69 co-sponsors in the Assembly.

The Hot, Broke Summer FREE ice cream tour is making stops across Queens to build support for the NY HEAT Act, with future dates and boroughs to be announced.

See video and images from the event here.

The truck is making the following stops:

• 10:15 - Astoria (Broadway between 23rd and 29th St) with Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani
• 12:00 P.M. - Jackson Heights (Travers Park, 78th St and Northern Blvd) with Assembly Members Jessica González Rojas and Catalina Cruz
• 1:00 P.M. - Ridgewood (Seneca Ave M Subway Stop, Seneca Ave between Gates Ave and Woodbine St) with Senator Julia Salazar
• 2:00 P.M. - Jackson Heights (Diversity Plaza - 37th Rd between Broadway & 74th) with Assembly Member Steven Raga and Senator John Liu
  3:30 P.M. - South Ozone Park (119-2 Rockaway Blvd) with Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson

"Fossil fuels are driving the dangerous heat, toxic air and skyrocketing fuel costs that characterize New Yorkers' hot, broke summer," said Food & Water Watch Senior NY Organizer Laura Shindell. "We need bold action from Governor Hochul to finish what she started in signing our nation-leading gas ban into effect this year. Buildings are New York's largest polluters - the work to move them off fossil fuels is not complete without NY HEAT."

"As the climate crisis persists, so does our fight against rising energy costs. The NY HEAT Act offers a solution to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save working New Yorkers up to $75 a month on energy costs," said Comptroller Brad Lander. "Driving the change toward a cooler New York City summer starts one scoop at a time!"

"This summer's extreme weather and rising energy costs remind us of the urgent need for transformative change. While ConEd hits New Yorkers with a 9% rate hike, the NY HEAT Act offers a sustainable solution that not only combats the climate crisis but puts money back into the pockets of families. As we hand out ice cream, we hope to cool down New Yorkers and fuel a movement, urging Governor Hochul and the Assembly to recognize that we can't afford delays - we need the NY HEAT Act in the 2024 executive budget NOW," said Assembly Member Steven Raga.

"I'm so excited to participate in today's free ice cream tour with Food & Water Watch NY to draw attention to the NY HEAT Act, a bill that would save New Yorkers $75 per month on energy bills and help cut New York's greenhouse gas emissions. The climate crisis is wreaking havoc on New York, disproportionately in low-income, Black and Brown neighborhoods like the ones I represent in Queens. I'm thrilled that we included the All Electric Buildings Act in last year's New York State budget, but New York's transition from fossil fuels won't be complete until we pass the NY HEAT Act as well. I'm proud to support the NY HEAT Act, and I join the advocates and elected and government officials in calling on Governor Hochul to include the bill in next year's budget," said Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas.

"Southeast Queens residents grapple daily with the impacts of global climate change, including historic heat waves, rising sea levels, flash flooding, and air pollution. The NY HEAT Act confronts these realities head-on by offering a path toward sustainability and enabling working-class New Yorkers to save their hard-earned money on utility bills. As we enjoy this ice cream to keep cool, we urge Governor Hochul to commit to the NY HEAT Act," said Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson.

"This summer, we've seen record temperatures - and record energy bills. New York State just approved Con Edison to increase energy rates by $64 per month for the average household in the next 2 years.

New Yorkers need action now: to ensure that working people can afford their energy bills and to curb the effects of climate change. The NY HEAT Act will save money on bills and ensure that our state can meet the ambitious climate goals established in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act: because mandates don't mean anything unless they are met.

I'm proud to stand alongside Queens legislators to promote awareness of the bill and call on Governor Hochul to include the NY HEAT Act in her 2024 Executive Budget, " said Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani.

"Sharing ice cream with our neighbors is more than just a sweet gesture; it's a symbol of our collective commitment to a cooler future for New York," said Assemblymember Catalina Cruz. "The NY HEAT Act is pivotal in ensuring that our state's gas utility regulations align with the vital mandates of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. By championing this bill, we're not just savoring a moment, but paving the way for a sustainable tomorrow."

Assemblymember Ron Kim said, "If New York is going to meet the standards we set for ourselves in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act by 2040, we must act now. To combat rising gas bills, harmful health consequences, and the climate change crisis, it is time for us to pass the NY Heat Act. This tour of Queens by the Renewable Heat Now Coalition is a great opportunity for more people to learn about this important bill. I hope they are able to reach, educate and engage with as many fellow New Yorkers as possible during their time in our borough."

"I was proud to sponsor the NY Heat Act, and with the very real and growing threats of the climate crisis – with impacts we see in our communities every year – we have to raise awareness in a meaningful and engaging way. Thank you to the Renewable Heat Now Coalition and Forest Hills Green Team for organizing this event, and for their continued dedication towards fighting climate change." said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, 28th Assembly District.

"During the final weeks of one of the hottest summers ever, our fight to pass the NY HEAT Act remains urgent as New Yorkers are confronted with increasing temperatures and increasing energy bills," said State Senator Julia Salazar. "My constituents in Brooklyn and Queens have been hit hard by climate change-both environmentally and financially. Our communities need the sustainable solutions proposed by the NY HEAT Act now, before another record-breaking summer is upon us."

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. said: "I am proud to join the Forest Hills Green Team and Renewable Heat Now as they give away ice cream and inform people about a very important piece of legislation – the NY Heat Act. This bill would stop utility companies from building new natural gas hookups to generate electricity, cap utility bills and could save families $75 a month. So come out and enjoy a sweet treat all while letting government know that electricity bills are too high and they need to cool it when it comes to rate increases."

Senator John Liu stated, "As temperatures continue to reach new extremes throughout the year, utility companies are charging New Yorkers more and more just to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The NY Heat Act will help create a greener economy by reducing our reliance on natural gas hookups, incentivizing electrification, and bringing us closer to compliance with the long-term goal of 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040."

"Beating the summer heat by fostering a clean energy revolution and mitigating the impacts of climate change couldn't be more important - or sweaty. I'm looking forward to cooling off with some ice cream and some advocacy next week, as we push for a more sustainable Queens," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. "Thank you to the Renewable Heat Now Coalition and all my colleagues for their work to bring down costs for families and help transition our city to more resilient, renewable forms of energy."

Extreme weather has defined summer 2023 in New York: July was the planet's hottest month on record. Heat kills about 350 New Yorkers each year, with Black New Yorkers more than twice as likely to die from heat as white residents. This number will likely rise as climate change worsens. And according to new research in the New York Times, heat waves across the United States would have been 'virtually impossible' without the influence of human-caused climate change.

It's not just extreme heat costing New Yorkers' lives and wallets because of climate change. New Yorkers choked on toxic air several times throughout this summer thanks to smoke from the Canadian wildfires. During the first 'Smoke Bomb,' NYC ERs saw double the usual amount of asthma visits. And earlier in July, Assembly Member Sarahana Shrestha held a press conference at the Rhinecliff Amtrak Station, demanding the Assembly pass the NY HEAT Act following the devastating flooding in the Hudson Valley. The torrential rainfall with 9 inches of rain in over 24 hours killed an Orange County resident. It also knocked out Amtrak and Metro North service for three days and completely washed away highways, making it impossible for people to get to work. The damage from the flooding is estimated to cost New Yorkers over $35 million.

The NY HEAT Act would accelerate New York's transition off the climate-killing fossil fuels that increase greenhouse gas emissions and cause public health and environmental crises like extreme heat, flooding, and wildfire smoke. It would also save low and middle income families money – up to $75/month – on their energy bills by capping them at 6% of income. That's significant savings for families that already spend three times more of their income on energy bills than other households. The bill would save all New Yorkers $200 million annually by ending the 100-foot rule, which forces every day New Yorkers to subsidize the expansion of the gas system.

??Background

In 2022 and 2023, NY HEAT gained serious momentum but was blocked by campaigns financed by the fossil fuel industry. In 2023, the utility National Grid used ratepayer money to finance a campaign against the NY HEAT Act. And a campaign financed by the fossil fuel industry that spread disinformation and lies derailed the bill. The industry set up a front group called New Yorkers for Affordable Energy to preserve the status quo. A report from Little Sis reviewed the organization's tax filings which show that its mission is "to expand natural gas service." The group is meant to have the appearance of a grassroots coalition, but it was founded and is run by fossil fuel executives. From the report: "The coalition is backed by a range of fossil fuel companies and lobbying groups, including utility companies National Fuel and National Grid; pipeline companies Williams, Enbridge, and Millennium Pipeline; and the American Petroleum Institute. Other backers include corporate lobbying groups like the Business Council of New York State, regional chambers of commerce like the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and fossil fuel industry trade groups like Independent Power Producers of New York and Energy Coalition New York." In 2023, the utility National Grid used ratepayer money to finance a campaign against the NY HEAT Act.

Nationwide, the fossil fuel industry is still heavily involved in misinformation efforts against necessary legislation like this. The New York Times reported about the Propane Education Research Council sponsoring HGTV star Matt Blashaw. Blashaw calls propane - which contributes to climate change and is the most expensive heating fuel- "an energy source for everyone."

About Renewable Heat Now (RHN)

RHN is a network of organizations working to accelerate the adoption of ground-source (geothermal) and air-source heat pumps in New York to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used to heat and cool our homes and workplaces. We are committed to environmental justice and a just transition to all-electric homes and buildings.