On Jan. 29, dozens of activists and concerned community members gathered in Peekskill today to call for the State Senate to prioritize funding for Bucks for Boilers (S3476A), a groundbreaking bill introduced by Senator Rivera that will fund the transition away from fossil fuels in buildings. Groups including Food & Water Watch and New York Communities for Change, and representatives from State Senator Pete Harkham and Assembly Member Dana Levenberg’s offices were present and spoke at the rally at the Brown Plaza Gazebo.
Buildings are the largest source of carbon emissions in New York, and funding for energy-efficient renewable heating systems instead of dirty, expensive oil and gas is a priority for many across the region and state. Bucks for Boilers will create a fund to subsidize the cost of switching aging boiler systems to energy efficient heat pumps, which is needed in order to lower energy bills and meet the state’s climate goals.
“Many of my constituents still rely on delivered fuels because of our older housing stock and the enormous expense of transitioning to cleaner options in such homes. It is a double-edged sword; the high cost of transitioning locks many people into the high cost of oil. We need Bucks for Boilers to help New Yorkers make the switch to energy-efficient, cost-effective heating and cooling equipment. I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation and to stand with my colleagues who are pushing to get it included in the budget,” said Assemblymember Dana Levenberg.
“The Bucks for Boilers program delivers energy-efficient heating systems to low-income communities to offer real financial relief to residents facing rising energy costs while improving air quality and upgrading aging infrastructure,” said Senator Pete Harckham.
“I’m the special advisor for Senator Harckham. He is a co-sponsor for Bucks for Boilers and a strong supporter of it. Pete is also the chair of the senate’s environmental conservation committee so the environmental aspects of this bill are very important to him,” said Tito Davila, special advisor to Senator Pete Harckham
“Paying ever increasing gas and electric bills is a significant part of NYCC members costs, and the affordability crisis. They need solutions and a path to a real clean energy transition through legislation like the Bucks for Boilers Act,” said Jose Gonzalez, New York Communities for Change.
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