NYS Capitol Building
June 6, 2023
ALBANY, NY – The New York Home Energy Affordable Transition (HEAT) Act passed the New York State Senate today. In response, Building Decarbonization Coalition New York Director Lisa Dix gave the following statement:
“The Building Decarbonization Coalition applauds the visionary leadership of the New York State Senate. We thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the bold, determined work of NY HEAT Act sponsor Senator Liz Kreuger. This legislation is critical to delivering an affordable transition toward clean energy and pollution-free homes for millions of New Yorkers currently on the gas system. The NY HEAT Act will eliminate the over $200 million per year subsidies that continue the unrestrained expansion of New York’s gas distribution system, protect gas utility customers from unsustainable gas rate hikes, cap energy bills at 6% for low-income households, and empower the Public Service Commission to avoid further unwise gas system spending on its outdated system. In doing so, the NY HEAT Act would begin an equitable, managed, phased transition toward neighborhood-scale decarbonization solutions such as Thermal Energy Networks.”
“All eyes are now on the New York State Assembly, who must pass the NY HEAT Act by the end of this session or leave New Yorkers holding the bag for unrestrained gas utility spending that is driving up monthly gas bills, blocking adoption of neighborhood-scale decarbonization, and accelerating climate change. This unaffordable future is already reality for many low-income New Yorkers, who are disproportionately burdened by high energy bills and high exposure to climate impacts such as more intense storms, extreme heat, and flooding. The Assembly must act now to remove critical barriers to implementing New York’s Climate Law and pass the NY HEAT Act this session.”
ABOUT THE BUILDING DECARBONIZATION COALITION
The Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC) unites stakeholders on a path to transform the nation’s buildings through clean energy, using policy, research, market development, and public engagement. The BDC and its members are charting the course to eliminate fossil fuels in buildings to improve people’s health, cut climate and air pollution, prioritize high-road jobs, and ensure that our communities are more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Learn more at www.buildingdecarb.org
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