UPSTATE LAWMAKERS JOIN PUSH TO PASS NY HEAT ACT AS BILL CONTINUES TO GAIN MOMENTUM IN LEGISLATURE

Upstate sponsors among most recent to support NY HEAT Act, which now has majority support in both the Senate and Assembly; With support from Governor, lawmakers have stepped up efforts to demand Assembly Speaker Heastie include the NY HEAT Act in one-house budget to help struggling NYers impacted by high energy costs and climate change

ALBANY, NY (03/04/2024) (readMedia)-- A growing number of Upstate New York lawmakers have announced their support for the NY HEAT Act (A4592B / S2016B), legislation that would put crucial protections in place to prevent energy price gouging, save struggling families up to $75 each month on their bills*, and begin New York's transition away from the outdated, expensive fracked gas system that's accelerating climate change and harming our health.

Upstate Assembly Members including Harry Bronson, Patrick Burke, Sarah Clark, Christopher Eachus, Pamela Hunter, Anna Kelles, Jen Lunsford, Donna Lupardo, Demond Meeks, Jonathan Rivera, Sarahana Shrestha, Al Stirpe and Phil Steck, as well as NYS Senators Neil Breslin, Samra Brouk, Jeremy Cooney, Michelle Hinchey, Rachel May and Lea Webb, have all joined as sponsors of the NY HEAT Act, which for the first time has majority support in the Senate and Assembly.

"As the fallout from climate change seemingly worsens, we must continue to make every effort to make our energy grid more efficient and resilient as we move towards carbon neutral energy production. As this transition occurs, however, the costs should not be placed on those that can least afford it. The NY HEAT Act will provide relief for monthly utility bills while also limiting the expansion of natural gas infrastructure. As we recover from record high inflation, it is essential that our energy policy recognizes these hardships as we work to further reduce carbon emissions," said Assemblymember Pamela Hunter.

"Empowering New Yorkers through the HEAT Act is crucial for a sustainable future for NY. This legislation removes antiquated subsidies to the oil and gas industry that currently stunt investments in renewable energy infrastructure. The NY HEAT Act offers affordability for low- and middle-income New Yorkers, capping utility bills at 6% of income, and takes a managed, phased approach to the state's transition from fossil fuels. The Act ensures equitable access to clean energy, promoting resilience and wellbeing across our communities. Given the dire state of climate change, we must actively stabilize our energy grid which will stabilize energy costs for all NYers and increase statewide energy autonomy and resiliency for the foreseeable future. We need the NY HEAT Act passed this year," said Assemblymember Anna Kelles.

"Gas utilities are spending hundreds of millions of dollars per year hooking up gas infrastructure to new customers, and these costs are passed directly to existing customers. Gas utilities are also on track to collectively spend $150 billion to replace thousands of miles of leak prone pipe in the coming years, and we see this in action in our district, in Kingston. Instead of investing in what will become stranded assets, we should be bringing our public service law in alignment with our climate law and work towards neighborhood-scale decarbonization projects," said Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha.

"Across the Southern Tier, utility bills are unaffordable. But these hikes don't affect us all the same – for many of my constituents, it's a matter of being able to keep the lights on, food on the table, and their businesses open. They cannot afford to wait. That is why we are fighting to include the NY HEAT Act in the FY 2025 state budget to put up to $75 per month back into the pockets of low and middle income families and reduce future rate hikes," said Senator Lea Webb.

"We are in a Climate Crisis, and expanding climate-damaging fracked gas infrastructure is both unsustainable and keeps us beholden to uncontrollable and unaffordable supply-side rate hikes. The NY HEAT Act is not just a climate solution; it's an affordability solution that will pave the way for an equitable clean energy transition and the utility relief people deserve. It's time we pass the NY HEAT Act, and I'll continue fighting for its inclusion in the State Budget," said Senator Michelle Hinchey.

Assemblymember Aileen Gunther also expressed support for the legislation at an event to demand full passage of the NY HEAT Act in this year's final budget, where she thanked more than 300 advocates and fellow lawmakers for supporting the NY HEAT Act and stated, "Me and my colleagues are going to fight, fight, fight to make sure that people have warm homes, so we are with you and thank you so much for... showing your support for this important bill."

NY HEAT passed the NYS Senate last session but stalled in the Assembly. In January, Governor Hochul included key provisions of the NY HEAT Act – Home Energy Affordable Transition – in her Executive Budget proposal. Now, lawmakers have an unprecedented opportunity to pass legislation that would modernize New York's utility regulations and include critical language to save New Yorkers struggling to afford their heating bills more money for other crucial expenses.

The NY HEAT Act will begin implementing the goal to limit the amount families have to pay for energy relative to their income, saving families not part of utility Energy Affordability Programs up to $75 each month. It would also put an end to more than $200 million in subsidies that New Yorkers pay every year to expand the gas system, accelerating fossil fuels-generated climate change that supercharges deadly storms, floods, and extreme heat and cold.

Background

According to a new Siena Poll, cost of living is the top issue facing most New Yorkers this election season. In Upstate New York, nearly 1 in 3 residents (32%) cited cost of living as the single most pressing issue, with another 21% saying it was their second biggest concern. A previous Siena Poll found 8 in 10 New Yorkers statewide agree the high cost of living in New York is a major problem.

Higher energy costs, exacerbated by double-digit rate hikes from ConEd, National Grid, NYSEG, RG&E, CenHud, National Fuel Gas, and O&R, only exacerbate the cost of living problem. Utilities are raising energy costs for New Yorkers as follows:

Advocates, lawmakers, and New Yorkers impacted by utility rate increases have spent months advocating for the passage of the HEAT Act. Over the summer, elected officials and advocates participated in the "hot, broke summer ice cream tour," where they handed out free ice cream across New York City and spoke with residents about how the NY HEAT Act would address climate change while reducing energy bills for New Yorkers. In October, 54 State Senators and Assembly members sent a letter to Governor Hochul urging her to include the NY HEAT Act in the FY 2025 state budget. The following month, more than 90 local elected officials from across NYS came together to do the same.

About Better Buildings New York

BBNY is a network of organizations working for the equitable decarbonization of homes and buildings in New York State. We are committed to environmental justice and a just transition to all-electric homes and buildings.

*$75/month savings calculated using a 9.3% average energy burden in the NYC metro area for low-income families and 200% of the federal poverty level income of $27,180 for a one-person household.