This past legislative session, New York State took notable steps to fight the climate crisis and end our reliance on fossil fuels in buildings, including the passage of the first-in-nation All-Electric Buildings Act. However, while the Senate passed the New York Home Energy Affordable Transition (NY HEAT) Act, this pivotal energy affordability bill did not make it past the finish line.
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WHY DOES THE NY HEAT ACT MATTER? |
The fossil fuels we burn in our buildings are driving an affordability crisis for New Yorkers across the state. Not only are gas customers facing double-digit rate hikes to pay for expensive pipeline replacement programs today, New Yorkers left on the gas system could see their monthly bills reach more than $8,000 per month by 2050 if state leaders do not intervene. The NY HEAT Act jumpstarts an equitable transition to a more affordable, more reliable, clean energy future with zero-emissions heating and cooling for all New Yorkers.
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Buildings are the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State. The NY HEAT Act is a prime opportunity to shift communities toward cost-effective, zero-emissions, and pollution-free heating and cooling systems that align with the state’s emissions reduction goals. As the climate crisis worsens, New York must take action to end the outdated, dangerous, and unaffordable gas system and deliver a sustainable future for generations to come.
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The NY HEAT Act would save gas customers more than $200 million annually by ending the ‘100 foot rule,’ which charges existing gas customers for the cost of new gas pipeline hookups. It would create opportunities for additional savings by retiring old pipeline systems when they can be replaced with more cost-effective neighborhood-scale alternatives such as thermal energy networks and high efficiency heat pumps.
The bill also guarantees energy affordability for those who need it most. Currently, lower-income New Yorkers spend an average of 10% of their income on utility bills. The NY HEAT Act would cap the energy bills of low- and moderate-income households at 6% of their income – saving these families up to $75/month that can go towards other needs such as rent, groceries, and more. |
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MODERNIZING INFRASTRUCTURE |
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New York's fracked gas pipeline system is increasingly antiquated, unreliable, and hazardous to the health of millions of residents. The NY HEAT Act would modernize outdated utility laws to bring them in line with our nation-leading climate law and create a pathway to deliver neighborhood-scale, zero-emissions heating and cooling at a fraction of the cost to consumers. |
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The NY HEAT Act can help improve public health by reducing emissions in homes and reducing the risk of gas leaks. Burning gas in homes has been linked to increased air pollution and can exacerbate asthma, heart disease, and other health issues. In New York, 18.8% of childhood asthma is attributed to gas burned inside our homes.
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We must replace the fracked methane gas system with zero-emissions solutions such as thermal energy networks and high efficiency heat pumps to achieve our climate goals. The NY HEAT Act would spur tens of thousands of high-paying union jobs to get the job done and deliver pollution-free, clean heating and cooling systems in communities across the state. |
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