New York Becomes the Latest State to Eliminate 100-Foot Gas Line Rule After Years of Advocacy

ALBANY, NY (12/19/2025) (readMedia)-- Today, the Renewable Heat Now campaign and allies across the state celebrated Governor Hochul signing the bill to repeal the 100-foot rule, an outdated, unfair policy that allows for-profit gas corporations to charge their customers hundreds of millions each year to expand fracked gas pipelines. According to recent analysis from the Public Utility Law Project, the 100-foot rule costs New Yorkers up to $600 million annually.

Utilities use policies such as the 100-foot rule to fund and profit from the expansion of fossil fuels, driving up energy costs for their customers. With her signature on the bill, the Governor starts the process of removing these unnecessary charges from customers' bills. Across the country, states are moving to end similar giveaways for gas utilities. California and Colorado have already eliminated their states' versions of the 100-foot rule, while Massachusetts and Maryland are advancing the process in their own states. Washington, Oregon, and Minnesota have begun or are considering similar phase outs as well.

Advocates and electeds will continue their celebration of this decision in a zoom press conference on Monday, December 22 at 11 AM. Join the press conference here.

"Over the past 4 years, thousands of people from across New York have joined together to fight for cleaner heat and lower bills," said Lisa Marshall, Advocacy and Organizing Director at New Yorkers for Clean Power. "The Governor's signing the repeal of the 100-Foot Rule today is a big win for energy affordability and climate. This is common sense energy policy that is long overdue and we are celebrating its passage. Our work is not over. We will continue to push for lawmakers and Governor Hochul to stand up to Trump and the fossil fuel lobby to protect New Yorkers from rising energy bills and the worst impacts of climate change by investing in a clean energy transition for our homes and buildings."

The use of fracked gas for heating and to generate electricity is driving an energy affordability crisis in New York-a state in which 1 in 4 New Yorkers are facing high energy burdens and paying over 6% of their annual income on energy bills. New York's energy affordability crisis is reaching new heights as the cost of gas utility bills is outpacing the rate of inflation nearly fourfold, and the cost of gas is driving up both gas rates and electric rates alike.

"New York's for-profit utilities have made a fortune by recklessly expanding fracked gas infrastructure and passing costs onto consumers in the form of rate increases," said Jessica Azulay, Executive Director at Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE). "That's led to an energy affordability crisis where families are going hungry and without medicine in order to pay their heating bills. By repealing the 100-foot rule, Governor Hochul is helping to rein in utilities' excessive spending and profiteering, saving New Yorkers nearly $600 million annually. It's also an important part of the transition toward the cleaner, healthier, and more affordable energy system that New Yorkers have been expecting since passage of our Climate Act."

The fight to eliminate the 100-foot rule started as part of a statewide movement to pass the popular NY HEAT Act, legislation that would have gone even further to protect New Yorkers from utilities' reckless spending on costly, unnecessary gas pipelines. The NY HEAT Act would have reformed the legal requirement that utilities provide gas service even when electric heating and cooling is a more affordable option. In the face of fierce gas industry opposition, the legislature passed only a piece of the NY HEAT Act, the bill to repeal the 100 ft rule for gas (S.8417/A.8888). We thank legislative champions, especially Senator Liz Krueger, Senator Pat Fahy who carried the NY HEAT Act when she was in the Assembly, and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, for their tireless efforts on the NY HEAT Act that led to this important first step.

"New York finally took this important step to end one of the most wasteful pro-gas subsidies on the books," said Kim Fraczek, Director of Sane Energy Project. "Communities across the state have fought for years to end the 100-foot rule, and this repeal shows what's possible when people stand up to utility greed. We look forward to Governor Hochul continuing the momentum to prioritize affordability by stopping the approval of fossil fuel projects that contradict our climate laws."

Find additional statements from some of the many organizations who made this win possible below:

"By getting rid of the outdated 100-foot rule, Governor Hochul just saved everyday New Yorkers from paying $600 million more on their energy bills every year – millions of dollars that would have been spent to needlessly expand the polluting gas system that is already too expensive. This moment would not be possible without the movement behind it, that beat back fossil fuel industry goliaths to fight for a cleaner, more affordable future. We applaud Governor Hochul for delivering on her affordability promise to New Yorkers, and we look forward to returning to Albany next year to ask the legislature and the Governor to do more to tackle the climate crisis and reduce energy costs," said Liz Moran, New York Policy Advocate at Earthjustice.

"Rewiring America applauds Governor Hochul and the Legislature for ending the '100-foot-rule' and helping make energy bills more affordable for New Yorkers," said Michael Hernandez, New York Policy Director for Rewiring America. "The 100-foot-rule baked an unfair preference for gas into the system. It required all ratepayers to subsidize new gas hookups, forcing them to cover the enormous cost of extending gas mains and service lines for developers. Those delivery costs have been a major driver of rising energy bills over the past decade because underground gas infrastructure is among the most expensive energy investments we can make. Ending this rule is a critical step toward protecting ratepayers and shifting New York toward a cleaner, more affordable energy future."

"It is very heartening to see the 100ft rule repeal bill become law. In a moment when many elected officials are subscribing to an "all of the above" approach that means continued investment in an expensive, antiquated and polluting gas system, we applaud Governor Hochul and the legislature for taking this important step. We need to stay focused on a transition off of fossil gas and, instead, advance renewables and efficient, all-electric appliances to future-proof our state that will ultimately result in cleaner air and more affordable energy," said Betta Broad, Director of Organizing and Advocacy, Association for Energy Affordability.

"In this economy, New Yorkers simply can't afford to spend their hard-earned money subsidizing the expansion of climate-killing fracked gas pipelines." said Laura Shindell, New York State Director for Food & Water Watch. "The repeal of the 100ft rule is an overdue, but incredibly important first step towards putting money back into people's pockets, and enacting policy that leads to healthier homes."

"The repeal of the 100-foot rule is a crucial victory for Environmental Justice communities who have been disproportionately burdened by utility practices. For too long, families in our neighborhoods have subsidized the expansion of polluting, costly gas infrastructure, all while facing high energy burdens and the worst impacts of fossil fuels on their health. This repeal frees up nearly $600 million annually that must now be strategically reinvested to accelerate an equitable transition to clean, affordable, all-electric heating, ensuring that the benefits of climate action-from cleaner indoor air to lower utility bills-are first realized in the communities that need it most. We commend this critical step towards environmental justice," said Lonnie Portis, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

"By signing the repeal of the 100-foot rule into law, Governor Hochul has secured a major affordability victory for New Yorkers," said Allison Considine, Interim NY Director for the Building Decarbonization Coalition. "We thank the Governor, Senate, and Assembly for their leadership in modernizing the State's policies to help accelerate the transition to healthy, safe decarbonized buildings while protecting ratepayers from bearing the costs of redundant, dirty energy investments".

"The New York League of Conservation Voters applauds Governor Hochul for signing the repeal of the 100-foot rule and thanks legislative partners Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon, Senator Liz Krueger, and Senator Pat Fahy for their partnership in advancing this long-overdue energy reform," said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "For years, this policy forced everyday New Yorkers to pay more than $600 million annually added to utility bills to expand harmful gas infrastructure that we are transitioning off of – all without their knowledge and counter to our shared commitment to energy affordability. Ending this rule ensures ratepayers do not have to cover the costs of new gas hookups, while taking an important step toward cleaner air for our communities and healthier buildings for all."

"This is an important win for affordability by ending subsidies for expanding the gas system in New York State," said Chris Casey, Utility Regulatory Director for New York at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "We can't keep forcing all gas customers to spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year on polluting infrastructure that will be obsolete soon. Removing the 100-foot rule subsidies will deliver better buildings and cleaner air for the immediate and long-term safety and health of our communities."

"Signing the bill to end the 100-ft rule is an important step to address the dual crises of energy affordability and climate devastation that New Yorkers continue to be burdened with," said Eric Wood, Senior Environmental Program Coordinator for NYPIRG. "We applaud the Governor's decision and hope this is a sign that the state's top leadership recognizes that ending reliance on fossil fuels is the answer to the energy affordability crisis."

"The New York Geothermal Energy Organization (NY-GEO) applauds the Governor's decision to end subsidies for gas connections in New York State. The Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) industry is prepared to support New York building owners and contractors by providing affordable and reliable heating and cooling that also reduces peak grid demand," said Christine Hoffer, Executive Director, New York Geothermal Energy Organization.

"Repealing the 100-Foot Rule is a significant step forward to a cleaner, more affordable energy system that we deserve. Finally, we can stop footing the bill to expand a polluting gas system that harms our health and planet, and that burdens households with high heating bills. We will continue advocating for energy policies that prioritize the well-being of families and align with our state's climate law," said Donna O'Malley, Mothers Out Front Member Leader.

"By repealing the 100 foot rule, Governor Hochul ends a legacy of preferential treatment for fossil fuel companies and allows the hundreds of millions of dollars ratepayers spend on costly gas infrastructure to now shift towards clean, efficient and affordable renewable heat technologies. Embodied in this signing is an acknowledgement that the affordability crisis is made worse through policy inaction. Good climate solutions are indeed affordability solutions, and we look forward to working with this administration to reduce energy costs for all New Yorkers and to get our climate obligations back on track," said Gabe Recchio, New York State Clean Heat Organizer, Sierra Club.

"Third Act Upstate New York thanks the legislature for passing the repeal of the 100-foot rule, an important component of the NY Heat Act. We can now join in thanking Governor Hochul for signing this piece of legislation. By doing so, the legislature and Governor have taken a crucial first step to address the affordability crisis at the same time as moving New York closer to a clean energy future," said Alan Cole co-coordinator, Third Act Upstate.

"When knocking doors, tabling at farmers markets, or talking to our members, we hear people worried about rising utility costs, weighing whether they should pay their November utility bill or get their kids presents for the holidays. The signing of the 100ft rule is the start of a journey toward affordability with almost $600 million in savings on New Yorkers energy bills every single year," said Xaver Kandler, Political Director at For the Many. "We look forward to more common sense policies in 2026 that save us money and protect the climate."

"We applaud the Governor for ending the 100-Foot Rule which will save New Yorkers hundreds of millions of dollars and facilitate our state's transition off of fracked gas. This bill is a perfect example of how climate solutions can make our state more affordable for working people. We hope to see more legislation passed in 2026 which addresses climate change and makes New York more affordable for all," said Graham Hughes, Director of Policy & Advocacy with the Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region.

"Ending the 100-foot rule means that working New Yorkers won't have to subsidize utilities' expansion of a fracked-gas system that we don't need and can't afford," said NY Renews Executive Director Stephan Edel. "There's no reason that in this era of abundant clean energy- as NY households struggle to pay for basic needs-that we should be subsidizing fossil fuel infrastructure that makes utility CEOs richer and leads to toxic, health-destroying pollution in our homes. We applaud this step in the transition toward a cleaner, safer, and more affordable energy system and climate future here in New York State."

"New York families have no interest in paying for the ongoing buildout of an outdated, polluting energy system. With many safer, healthier power sources available, it is time that we get off of gas, so we're pleased to see this sensible step in the right direction. We look forward to further climate action in 2026, for the sake of our kids and all kids," said Laurel Tumarkin, Co-chair of Climate Families NYC.

"The Climate Reality Project New York State Coalition applauds the Governor for signing the repeal of the 100' rule. This action meaningfully addresses the state's utility customers' affordability by reducing the cost burden of the gas infrastructure build-out," said Tim Guinee, Legislative Director Climate Reality Project, New York State Coalition.

"At last. With the repeal of the 100-foot rule, New York State has finally taken one step towards moving us off the expensive, wasteful fracked gas system," said Sara Gronim, co-leader of 350Brooklyn. "Just as in the rest of the state, too many families in Brooklyn are burdened by high energy costs and the health impacts of burning fossil fuels. After years of working towards this goal, community groups from Buffalo to Watertown to Montauk are celebrating this win. We thank Governor Hochul for signing the bill into law, and urge her to return New York State to a leadership position on climate in 2026."

"Clergy and lay leaders from over 70 Reform Jewish synagogues across New York State have called on Gov. Hochul to champion climate issues since the start of her administration. We thank her for taking the important step of repealing the 100-ft rule - an outdated subsidy supporting fossil fuels rather than renewable energy," said Ben Elkind, Lead Organizer of the New York Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-NY).

"For decades, New Yorkers ratepayers have been forced to subsidize gas lines and infrastructure because of the 100-foot. Removing this requirement from law is a key victory for both climate progress and affordability. The 100-foot rule costs New York's utility bill payers roughly $200 million a year from 2017 to 2021; removing these unnecessary subsidies will benefit New Yorkers and ensure that residents are presented with clean options for how they decide to heat and power their home. We applaud Governor Hochul for taking this step, and look forward to continuing to prioritize protecting ratepayers, furthering clean energy, and ensuring New York's prosperous future," said Niamh Moore, Director Healthy Communities, Environmental Advocates NY.

"The pilot gas moratorium in Tompkins County, NY, where winter temperatures regularly dip well below zero, has dispelled the myth that heat pump technology can't stand on its own. Both for-profit and affordable housing developers who made the switch are now touting the lower costs and high comfort of winter warming and summer cooling as a prime selling point in developments throughout their territories. The timing is right for the Governor's next step in signing this bill into law," said Carol Chock, President of Ratepayer and Community Intervenors, Finger Lakes.

"With the ending of the subsidy for gas connection, the Governor has leveled the playing field so that heat pump installations aren't competing in an unfair market," said Adam Flint, Director of Clean Energy Programs at the Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow. "Heat pump adoption in the Nordic countries and Canada is among the highest in the world, and as a ground-source heat pump user myself, I can attest to the fact that this technology can handle our winter cold snaps with ease. I made the switch from fuel oil more than a decade ago, and that choice has saved me thousands of dollars, not to mention the indoor air and safety benefits."

"Fossil Free Tompkins thanks Governor Hochul for taking this important step in curtailing the expansion of the fossil gas system at ratepayer expense. This is a common sense policy that is long overdue. Here in Tompkins County, we've been working for years at the local level to transition off gas to ground and air source heat pumps and efficient electric appliances, but we are looking to the state government to put in place and stand by the policies that will take our local efforts and scale them up statewide. The scales are currently tipped in favor of the utilities and their shareholders and not the consumers. This is something that Governor Hochul, the legislature and the PSC need to get serious about going forward," said Irene Weiser, Fossil Free Tompkins.

"Governor Hochul and New York are taking a great step forward in repealing the 100-foot rule," said Anne Pernick, Senior Advisor to SAFE Cities at Stand.earth. "This move will save customers money, stop incentivizing growth of the methane gas system, and protect the health of New Yorkers and the climate."

ABOUT RENEWABLE HEAT NOW:

Renewable Heat Now is a campaign organized by Alliance for a Green Economy, New Yorkers for Clean Power, NY-GEO, Fossil Free Tompkins, Sane Energy Project, Frack Action, Pace Energy and Climate Center, Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow, Earthjustice, Mothers Out Front, NYPIRG, Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, Acadia Center, Food and Water Watch, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, All Our Energy, Kinetic Communities Consulting, Climate Reality Project New York State Chapters Coalition, NYC 2030 District, the Association for Energy Affordability, the Sixth Street Community Center, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Third Act Upstate and For the Many.