Dozens of Westchester residents rallied alongside Rep. George Latimer, State Assemblymember Amy Paulin and State Senator Shelley Mayer in Scarsdale today to call for passage of the NY HEAT Act — a critical affordability and clean energy bill that is a leading priority for grassroots and environmental groups across New York State.
With utility costs straining household budgets across the state and Con Edison bills continuing to rise, the NY HEAT Act offers bold, commonsense solutions — ending wasteful subsidies for gas expansion and giving New Yorkers a path to cleaner, more affordable energy.
The event comes as pressure builds on Assembly leadership to bring the bill to a vote before the legislative session ends in June. The NY HEAT Act has passed the Senate in previous years and has widespread support in the Assembly.
“The battle against high gas and electric bills and steep price increases has been ongoing. Regardless of how many Westchester residents contact Con Edison, how many times we question utility companies, or how many times we plead for change, Con Edison continues to ignore our concerns and prioritize profits over people,” said Senator Shelley B. Mayer. “As the weather begins to warm up, our constituents can’t wait any longer for action. The New York State Legislature is committed to this fight, and I share the frustration of tens of thousands of people in Westchester. We must pass the NY Heat Act immediately. I want to thank Senator Liz Krueger for championing this bill in the Senate, and I look forward to seeing it come to the floor for a vote.”
“I want to thank Deborah Porder, Indivisible Scarsdale, and the many advocates across the state who have fought so hard for this bill,” said Assemblymember Amy Paulin. The significant provisions in this bill, the elimination of the 100-foot rule and the obligation to serve, are a critical step towards stabilizing energy bills and will protect New Yorkers from the skyrocketing costs of gas infrastructure.”
“With energy bills reaching unsustainable levels, New Yorkers need bold action from Albany,” said Emily Skydel, New York Senior Organizer at Food & Water Watch. “Too many families are struggling to keep up, while our reliance on outdated, expensive fossil fuel infrastructure continues to drive costs higher. The NY HEAT Act is a chance to put working people first and deliver the relief they need. Lawmakers must seize this opportunity to pass the bill before the end of session.”
“The NY Heat Act is a win-win bill. It will lower our outrageously high gas bills and make clean sources of energy more competitive. New Yorkers shouldn’t have to subsidize gas companies for laying and maintaining gas lines. To help consumers, the legislature needs to pass the bill,” said Deborah Porder, Lead Organizer of Indivisible Scarsdale.
“The federal government is destroying any chance to address the climate crisis that has wreaked havoc on communities. We see a very dismal future for our children and grandchildren unless we quickly transition from fossil fuels, including fracked gas infrastructure, to renewable energy. Westchester for Change strongly supports the NY HEAT Act,” said co-organizer Susan Van Dolsen of Westchester for Change, “and expects New York to pass this long overdue bill before the legislative session ends in June.”
“The NY HEAT Act isn’t just good climate policy — it’s a practical solution for impacted communities facing huge energy bills, like ours in Peekskill. We’ve got to replace outdated, costly gas infrastructure, and create a future with cheaper, cleaner, and much fairer renewable sources. Pass the NY HEAT Act to cut costs, cut emissions, improve our communities, and put people over pipelines,” said Tina Volz-Bongar of United For Clean Energy.
“In an era of climate destruction, not one rational argument can be made for compelling NYS residents to subsidize the expansion and maintenance of gas lines, which we do by paying ever-higher utility bills,” said Natalie Polvere, Environment Committee Co-Chair of NYCD16/15 Indivisible. “The NY HEAT Act is not a ban on gas: it’s a means of capping those bills and allowing providers to turn to cleaner, renewable sources of energy. Not only would that comply with NY’s Climate Law, but with our human need for health and well-being. Now that’s a rational argument!”
The NY HEAT Act would:
- End the “100-foot rule,” a subsidy that wastes $200 million a year expanding gas pipelines
- Eliminate the obligation to serve, which forces utilities to hook up new gas customers at ratepayer expense
- Support clean energy upgrades and reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel prices
Today’s event was organized by Food & Water Watch and cosponsored by Indivisible Scarsdale, NYCD16/15 Indivisible, Westchester for Change, Mothers Out Front, United for Clean Energy, and others.
