The Senate released its one-house budget bills for SFY2024-25, which included the entirety of the NY HEAT Act (S.2016B/A.4592B). This legislation will save New Yorkers money on their energy bills while ensuring that state regulation and oversight of gas utilities provides for the equitable achievement of the climate justice and emission reduction mandates set forth in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (the CLCPA). This bill provides the Public Service Commission with the authority and direction to align gas utility regulation and gas system planning with the CLCPA’s mandate while ensuring affordable access to heating, cooling and other necessary services.

The Senate’s inclusion of NY HEAT in their one-house budget demonstrates continued support for the policy – the body passed the NY HEAT Act before the end of the 2023 legislative session.

Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal included “the Affordable Gas Transition Act,” which included portions of the NY HEAT Act, but excluded critical affordability measures and an implementation timeline.

The following statement can be attributed to Liz Moran, New York policy advocate for Earthjustice:

“The Senate is, once again, standing up as a champion for affordability for all New Yorkers and fighting climate change with their inclusion of the full NY HEAT Act in their one-house budgets. Utilities have been setting off a wave of rate hikes across the state, while resisting efforts to save New Yorkers money and move them off fossil fuels. The NY HEAT Act would save New Yorkers hundreds off their energy bills annually by capping utility bills and eliminating needless subsidies to expand the gas system.

“Following a 2023 where New Yorkers saw dangerous air quality and smoky skies, flooding that left people stranded, heat waves, and increasing utility bills, the Senate’s inclusion of the full NY HEAT Act demonstrates their commitment to tackling the climate crisis and making the lives of everyday New Yorkers easier. Earthjustice applauds the Senate for supporting the full NY HEAT Act and urges the Governor and Assembly to follow suit and support this policy in the final budget.”