Hundreds Make Last Minute Push for NY HEAT

Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Hundreds of climate activists gathered outside the State Assembly on Thursday, June 5, to urge lawmakers to pass the NY Heat Act. The bill would align the policies of state agencies with the climate measures included in the CLCPA, the state’s climate law, including ending the massive subsidy involved in providing free gas hookups if within 100 feet of an existing gas line. It would also cap the utility bills of low-income New Yorkers at 6% of their income. In recent days lawmakers have floated the idea of amending the bill to allow utilities to opt out in order to deal with the opposition of National Fuels in Western NY which only provides gas. We hear from Laura Shindell of Food and Water Watch; Roger Downes of the state Sierra Club; Senator Liz Kruger, one of the main co-sponsors; Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha; Assemblymember Anna Kelles on cap and invest; and Assemblymember JoAnne Simon, the other co-lead sponsor of NY Heat. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.