New York Republicans Slam Revised Ny Heat Act

Members of the Assembly Republican Conference, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C- Corning), ranking member of the Energy Committee, joined business groups and advocacy organizations today to condemn the revised NY HEAT Act as the latest in Democrats’ reckless string of energy policies, which threaten to burden New Yorkers with skyrocketing costs and unreliable power. The revised legislation (S.8421/A.8889), which is just the offensive HEAT Act renamed the “Customer Savings and Reliability Act” cloaked in promises of affordability, doubles down on an impractical agenda that prioritizes ideology over the needs of hardworking families and businesses, all while continuing the heavy-handed energy policy that eliminates local control.

     The NY HEAT Act, as revised, continues to push for an aggressive transition away from natural gas, effectively forcing homeowners to spend tens of thousands retrofitting their homes for electric heating. At a press conference today at the Capitol, Republicans warned that these mandates will exacerbate New York’s affordability crisis, which will significantly increase energy costs for consumers even more.

     Using only electricity does not ensure reliability, yet Democrats consistently suggest as much. Recently, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) released a report showing how the reliability of the grid continues to decline as we move toward full electrification.

     “Albany Democrats realized the original HEAT Act was unfeasible, so they put on a new fancy coat of paint and gave it a new name, but make no mistake, this bill is just like the HEAT Act. Unlike the name suggests, it doesn’t save people money or increase energy reliability. New York is on a runaway train toward economic disaster due to the Albany Democrats’ Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and Green New Deal-style takeover of the grid. I am very concerned about these costly, misguided policies, including the repeal of the 100-foot rule, which is intended to move the state completely off natural gas and toward full electrification, even though conversion costs are exorbitant, and the state grid cannot handle it,” said Palmesano.

     “This is yet another example of Albany Democrats being completely out of touch with the interests and needs of New York families and businesses. Their reckless energy/climate agenda continues to be unaffordable, unreliable and unfeasible and is simply designed to dismantle the affordable and reliable natural gas infrastructure, supply and delivery system. It is designed to take away consumer choice about how you heat your home, cook your food, power your buildings and the vehicle you drive. It will jeopardize the reliability of the grid, leading to dangerous blackouts, and it will continue New York’s nation-leading outmigration crisis of more families, farmers, small businesses and manufacturers leaving our state,” concluded Palmesano.

“Even with minor tweaks, the revised NY HEAT Act is still bad for our ratepayers, our businesses and our workers. Albany Democrats are still putting the cart before the horse and not accepting reality. Clean natural gas is a necessity for our economy and our residents, and we need a plan, not a ban,” said Sen. Mario Mattera, the ranking minority member on the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

The bill’s elimination of the 100-foot rule, which subsidizes gas hookups, is falsely presented as a cost-saving measure, but instead risks killing thousands of union jobs and driving up utility rates. Republicans and business leaders have echoed these concerns, noting the potentially devastating impact on local economies. Furthermore, the Democrats’ failure to conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis undermines claims of affordability, leaving New Yorkers vulnerable to energy instability during harsh winters. In reality, natural gas is a reliable, affordable and a superior way to heat our homes, schools and hospitals in frigid upstate winters.

     New York Republicans have called for a balanced energy strategy that encourages all forms of generation: gas, nuclear, hydro, wind and solar, all while preserving consumer energy choice, protecting jobs and ensuring reliability without sacrificing affordability.

     “This is a direct assault on middle-class families already struggling to make ends meet,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski). “Democrats may be looking for a rebrand, but this remains an unrealistic, costly, one-size-fits-all approach that ignores the realities of upstate and rural communities. We urge the Assembly to reject this flawed legislation and work toward practical, inclusive solutions.”

     Ken Pokalsky, vice president of the Business Council of New York State, said, “We remain concerned about forcing curtailment of the gas system. Even if this bill doesn’t directly impact energy-intense, gas-dependent businesses, it will still affect system reliability costs. And the bill raises real concerns about costs and energy choices for residential consumers. New York should be taking an ‘all options’ approach, including evaluation of how the gas system can support renewable natural gas, and investing more in weatherization and efficiency, rather than limiting energy options.”

     Dan Ortega, executive director, New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, said, “We strongly oppose both the ‘HEAT Act Lite’ bills introduced by Sen. Krueger and Assemblywoman Simon because they are aimed at dismantling natural gas infrastructure, increasing costs on customers and eliminating good-paying union jobs tied to natural gas. These bills are destructive, unnecessary, ill-conceived and badly drafted. We thank Assembly GOP Leader Will Barclay, Energy Ranker Phil Palmesano and the entire Assembly and Senate Republican Conferences for standing up for the jobs of union gas workers and ratepayers alike.”

     Joe Peluso, vice president, IBEW Local 97, said, “This bill isn’t a climate plan…it’s a quiet layoff notice for thousands of New York’s utility workers. You don’t build a cleaner future by tearing down the workforce that keeps the lights on and the heat running. If the state wants to change direction, it needs a real plan that includes workforce protections and retraining opportunities. This plan only offers fewer hookups, fewer jobs and fewer options for working people.”

     Randy Wolken, president & CEO of Manufacturers Association of Central New York(MACNY), said, “On behalf of our members, many of whom have industrial facilities throughout New York, MACNY remains opposed to the new, rebranded ‘NY HEAT’ legislation. While we are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we are deeply concerned this bill will restrict access to reliable energy and cause uncertainty that will deter investment in Central New York and throughout the state. We ask that legislators carefully review this bill and understand its consequences.”

     Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United, said, “The fundamental problem with the new HEAT Act is the same as the old HEAT Act. It has been hastily introduced in a desperate attempt to meet the unrealistic mandates of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Recently, it has become abundantly clear that the state won’t be able to meet the legal requirements of the CLCPA, so why would lawmakers want to double down on failed policy? Instead, what we need is an honest conversation about how to balance various priorities like providing reliable, low-cost energy to all New Yorkers while also reducing emissions in a responsible manner. Now is the time for real leadership on this issue, but that will require a candid, open and transparent examination of the true costs of the CLCPA and the numerous tradeoffs.”

     Ashley Ranslow, New York state director, National Federation of Independent Business, said, “At a time when small businesses are struggling with higher costs and great uncertainty, it is imperative that New York prioritizes access to affordable and reliable energy. Rigid energy restrictions and full electrification without practical considerations put the state’s economy, jobs and Main Street at risk.”

     Mike Fazio, executive director, New York State Builders Association, said “The New York State Builders Association, representing the residential construction industry through a partnership with 14 local affiliates across the state, can speak from experience when saying that the repeal of the 100-foot rule provision for gas service from Public Service Law will undoubtedly increase the cost of homes and exacerbate the affordability and housing crises that New York state is facing. Removal of this provision will add thousands to tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of building a new home, pricing thousands of buyers out of the market. A March 2024 Special Study for Housing Economics by the National Association of Home Builders concluded that more than 71% of households in New York are already unable to afford a median-priced new home. According to that study, a mere $1,000 increase in the median price of a new home would price an additional 6,810 New York households out of the market. We urge the Legislature to reject Senate Bill 8417 and Assembly Bill 8888.”