Rochester Lawmakers and Climate Advocates Rally For Lower Energy Bills By Repealing 100-Foot Rule!

After years of advocacy, state lawmakers voted this session to help lower energy bills and repeal "100-foot rule" subsidy for gas companies; Signing this legislation would stop utilities from charging New York families $600 million every year to expand the gas system

ROCHESTER, NY (11/17/2025) (readMedia)-- TODAY, Assemblymember Harry Bronson will join Rochester advocates to rally in support of legislation repealing the "100-foot rule." In June, Albany lawmakers voted to end the outdated subsidy, which allows utilities to expand the polluting gas system on New Yorkers' dime and cost ratepayers nearly $600 million on their energy bills every year. Governor Hochul is reportedly considering signing the bill, and now she can deliver on her promise to rein in utilities and save New Yorkers money by signing it into law.

Even as more families struggle to afford their energy bills, RG&E and other utilities across the state are continuing to raise rates on New Yorkers so they can build new gas pipes and bring in record profits. Repealing the 100-foot rule would stop utilities from saddling New Yorkers with millions to expand the system that is already unaffordable, preserving the ability for families to stay on gas if they want to while enabling utilities to invest in cleaner, more affordable energy.

Join the livestream for this event here.

WHO:

Assemblymember Harry Bronson, District 138

Graham Hughes, Climate Solutions Accelerator

Michi Wenderlich, Metro Justice

Allen Blair, Citizens Climate Lobby

Dan Apfel, Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union

Sponsoring organizations including Climate Solutions Accelerator, Citizens Climate Lobby, Metro Justice, First Unitarian Church of Rochester Climate Justice Committee, Renewable Heat Now coalition, and more
WHAT:

Press conference with Rochester lawmakers and advocates in support of legislation to repeal the 100-foot rule mandate, which forces New York families to pay more than $600 million every year on their energy bills to expand the fracked gas system.
WHEN: Monday November 17, 2025 at 11:00AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union
395 Gregory Street
Rochester, New York 14620
NOTES: