O&R is 7th NYS Utility to Raise Rates for Struggling NYers

NEW YORK (01/30/2024) (readMedia)-- In response to the proposal by Orange and Rockland to raise gas delivery rates, the Better Buildings New York Coalition issued the following statement:

"From Rockland to Buffalo to Long Island, utilities across our state are filing proposals to raise rates, squeezing New Yorkers' wallets and investing even more into the dirty fracked gas system we desperately need to get off of. This rate hike proposal by Orange and Rockland is just the latest in a pattern of charging struggling families even more money to expand the gas system, and these rate hikes will only continue until lawmakers take action. No one should have to worry about whether they'll be able to afford something as necessary as heat. Lawmakers must listen to their constituents' demands and finally pass the NY HEAT Act to provide relief for families now," said Jessica Azulay, Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE).

Background

According to a September 2023 Siena Poll, 8 in 10 New Yorkers across party lines agree that the high cost of living in New York is a major problem. Higher energy costs, worsened by double-digit rate hikes from ConEd, National Grid, RG&E, NYSEG, National Fuel Gas, Central Hudson, and O&R have only exacerbated the cost of living problem.

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul included key provisions of the NY HEAT Act, which stands for Home Energy Affordable Transition, in her Executive Budget proposal. The HEAT Act will end more than $200 million in annual subsidies paid by existing gas customers for new gas hookups, accelerating fossil fuel-generated climate change.

Crucially, the NY HEAT Act would limit energy bills to 6% of household income, which would save low and middle-income New Yorkers not participating in utility Energy Affordability Programs up to $75/month on their energy bills. NY HEAT will also reduce future rate increases by prioritizing clean energy investments, instead of spending billions of dollars on new gas pipes.

The bill passed the NYS Senate during last year's session and has 74 sponsors in the Assembly. Earlier this month, lawmakers and advocates held a rally at the Capitol calling on Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to include the HEAT Act in the Assembly's one-house budget.