New Win Climate analysis finds Westchester families could save as much as $183 per month under bill to move off fossil fuels
On Feb. 16, Westchester legislators and advocates held a press conference calling on Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to champion passage of the NY HEAT Act in the Assembly One House Budget expected next month. Governor Hochul included key provisions of the bill in her budget proposal in January; advocates are calling for passage of the full bill, which includes provisions to save low- and middle-income New Yorkers money on their energy bills.
Food & Water Watch Senior New York Organizer Santosh Nandabalan said, “New Yorkers are paying through the nose to finance climate chaos. It’s time to stop the consumer-subsidized expansion of our dirty, dangerous, fracked gas system. Speaker Heastie must stand with Westchester families struggling to keep the lights on and pass the NY HEAT Act in the Assembly One House budget.”
The NY HEAT Act would ensure an affordable transition off climate-killing fossil fuels by 1) stopping the expansion of the dirty, toxic gas system and 2) reducing utility bills by eliminating gas subsidies and directing the PSC to implement the goal of capping energy bills at 6% of income. Low- and middle-income households are the most impacted by volatile gas prices and high energy bills, paying three times more of their income on energy bills than other families.
A new analysis by Win Climate finds that nearly 1 in 5 Westchester County residents pay more than 6% of their annual income on electricity, gas, and delivered fossil fuels. Using data from the Census, the analysis finds that the NY HEAT could save these Westchester families as much as $183/month on energy bills. The push for cost savings comes as Con Edison begins phasing in rate hikes that will total an additional $60/month by January 2025 for customers who pay for gas heat.
“It is exciting that elements of the NY HEAT Act have made it into the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal, but we need the whole thing,” said Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg. “I have constituents calling and writing to my office about unaffordable energy bills constantly. New Yorkers need relief in their energy bills now – we need the 6% cap on household energy costs that is written into NY HEAT. This is a critically important goal.”
State Senator Pete Harckham, chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation committee, said, “The New York HEAT Act notably removes the 100-foot subsidy that incentivizes gas line expansion and will protect ratepayers with low incomes from shouldering too much of the transition costs to sustainable energy sources. The record-breaking heat from our recent summers and the climate-change fueled storms we are experiencing are telling us to enact this legislation in a hurry.”
State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “For many years, I have heard from my constituents about the unacceptably steep increases in their gas and electric bills. Residents are keeping their home temperatures low and limiting their consumption, yet they are not seeing any relief from the high bills. I share the frustration that so many others have expressed. I thank Senator Liz. Krueger for carrying this bill in the Senate, and am determined to pass the New York Heat Act with my colleagues in the Senate and Assembly to protect New Yorkers from rising energy bills.”
Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky said, “The transition off fossil fuels cannot be achieved on the backs of working New Yorkers. While I applaud the proposal in the Executive Budget to end fossil fuel subsidies, the fact is that we need the consumer protections from the NY HEAT Act to go with it. Spikes in utility distribution rates are causing serious problems for middle class families and people on fixed income in my district. I will be working with my colleagues to have the cap on costs restored. New York State must meet its climate reduction target through policy that is fair and equitable for New York residents.”
“The data is clear. If implemented, NY Heat would make a significant dent on Westchester’s energy affordability crisis,” said Juan-Pablo Velez, executive director of think tank Win Climate and author of the new analysis. “One in five area residents are energy burdened, and their bills would be cut nearly in half, on average.”
“Amidst the current energy landscape, the NY HEAT Act stands as a beacon of progress,” said Dr. Courtney Williams of Safe Energy Rights Group in Peekskill. “By putting this bill in the New York budget, we’re not just lowering energy bills; we’re creating the pathway for investment in cleaner heating programs beyond the confines of gas dependency. It’s time to break free from the shackles of antiquated energy models and embrace a future where sustainability and affordability go hand in hand. Let’s ensure that every dollar saved doesn’t just benefit our pockets but also fosters a healthier tomorrow for our children.”
