NEW LOCATION: NY HEAT Act Could Deliver Big Savings for Hudson Valley Families

AM Sarahana Shrestha, Sen. Michelle Hinchey, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, Columbia County First Ward Supervisor Claire Cousin, and others will highlight new tool with advocates, residents to show energy savings for Hudson Valley families; Group will urge Albany leaders include NY HEAT in 2024 Budget as bill gains momentum in Legislature

KINGSTON, NY (02/15/2024) (readMedia)-- This advisory has been resent due to a change in location. The event will now take place at 240 Fair St, Kingston, NY 12401.

Today, Assembly Member Sarahana Shrestha and Senator Michelle Hinchey will hold a press conference with elected officials, Kingston residents, and advocates to highlight a new calculator tool that shows New Yorkers how much they could save on their monthly utility bills if Albany leaders pass the NY HEAT Act (A4592-B / S2016-B) in this year's budget. As Central Hudson begins phasing in nearly 20% rate hikes by July 2024 for customers who pay for gas heat, NY lawmakers have an opportunity to deliver urgently needed relief by passing the HEAT Act and putting a limit on household utility bills to 6% of a family's income.

The NY HEAT Act would help prevent future gas rate hikes, save struggling New Yorkers statewide on their utility bills, and fight climate change, which is already drastically impacting Hudson Valley residents' daily lives. Governor Hochul embraced key parts of the HEAT Act in her Executive Budget proposal. Now, lawmakers can deliver relief for families by including the full bill in their one-house budgets.

This event will be livestreamed.

When: Thursday, February 15, 12:00pm

UPDATED LOCATION: 240 Fair St, Kingston, NY 12401

Who: Assembly Member Sarahana Shrestha; Senator Michelle Hinchey; Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger; Columbia County First Ward Supervisor Claire Cousin; Scott Arnold, Owner, RYCOR HVAC; Food & Water Watch; New Yorkers for Clean Power, New York Public Interest Research Group, For the Many

What: Assembly Member Sarahana Shrestha, Senator Michelle Hinchey, and other lawmakers will hold a press conference with residents and advocates to highlight how much Hudson Valley residents could save on their monthly utility bills with the NY HEAT Act in effect. The group will urge the NYS Senate and Assembly to include the entirety of the NY HEAT Act in their one-house budgets.