MORE THAN 150 LAWMAKERS, ADVOCATES TO DEMAND ALBANY LEADERSHIP INCLUDE NY HEAT ACT IN FINAL BUDGET

NYS Senate included full NY HEAT Act in one-house budget, but Assembly ignored urgent need for climate action and only included weaker proposal to address affordability concerns; Advocates demand Albany leadership put constituents over utility companies' bottom line, include NY HEAT Act in final state budget to save families on their energy bills, curb future rate hikes, and fight climate change impacting NYers statewide

ALBANY, NY (03/13/2024) (readMedia)-- TODAY, following the NYS Legislature's one-house budget proposals, dozens of state lawmakers will join residents and advocates at the Capitol to demand Albany leadership prioritize affordability and fight climate change by including the full NY HEAT Act (A4592-B / S2016-B) in their final state budget proposal.

The NY HEAT Act would protect New Yorkers from rising energy costs by limiting household utility bills to 6% of a family's income. The legislation would also kickstart New York's transition from the outdated, expensive fracked gas system accelerating the effects of climate change and hurting communities across the State.

The group will also highlight new research from WIN Climate and NY Renews showing that a quarter of all New York State residents could see their bills cut nearly in half if lawmakers include the NY HEAT Act in this year's budget.

This event will be livestreamed.

When: Wednesday, March 13, 12:00pm

Where: Million Dollar Staircase, NYS Capitol

Who: Lawmakers including AMs Patricia Fahy, Steven Raga, Jessica González-Rojas, Brian Cunningham, Emily Gallagher, George Alvarez, Yudelka Tapia, Karina Reyes, MaryJane Shimsky, Chris Burdick, Dana Levenberg, Kenneth Zebrowski, Sen. Michelle Hinchey, and others

Organizations including the Renewable Heat Now campaign; Better Buildings New York Coalition; Food & Water Watch; Alliance for a Green Economy; New Yorkers for Clean Power; WE Act for Environmental Justice; Sane Energy Project; NRDC; New York Communities for Change; Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter; Third Act; Rewiring America; New York Geothermal Energy Organization; NYPIRG; Climate Solutions Accelerator; Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow; All Our Energy; Mothers Out Front New York; Association for Energy Affordability; Fridays for Future; Building Decarbonization Coalition; and New York State Coalition of Climate Reality Chapters

What: Lawmakers and advocates will rally to demand Albany leadership prioritize energy affordability and fight climate change by including the NY HEAT Act in their final state budget