Senator Gallivan Says HEAT Act Should Not be Included in State Budget

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, (R-C, Elma), members of the Senate Minority Conference, business organizations and other stakeholders are calling for the removal of the HEAT Act from budget discussions. 

The HEAT Act would effectively ban the use of natural gas as an energy source for homes and businesses. If enacted, it would further drive up already high utility costs; force homeowners to spend thousands of dollars to retrofit their homes; remove consumer choice on how to heat their homes; and further drive up the costs of building homes and homeownership. 

“The HEAT Act is another example of an unrealistic energy policy that New York residents and businesses cannot afford,” Senator Gallivan said.  “Combined with the Climate Leadership Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which further mandates how residents heat their homes and the kind of cars they drive, the result will be higher costs and fewer choices. This one-size-fits-all approach is unachievable, cost-prohibitive, and unsustainable.”

“The facts demonstrate, and the Senate sponsor has admitted that 75 percent of New Yorkers will see increases in their energy bill as a result of the NY Heat Act. We estimate that if the bill were enacted, most consumers would see an $800 yearly increase in energy costs. Worse, the elimination of the 100-foot rule will eliminate thousands of good paying union jobs that support working families all across New York State. We thank Leader Ortt and the Senate Republicans for their support and ask the Assembly and the Governor to hold firm and keep this proposal out of the final budget,” said Daniel Ortega, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy.

“The Northeastern Retail Lumber Association represents over 350 independently owned and operated building material dealer locations across New York—small businesses that have been serving their communities for generations. These businesses provide the materials builders, contractors and homeowners rely on every day. But with costs rising across the board, they’re being squeezed, and so are the customers they serve. This bill will only drive prices higher, making it even harder for everyday New Yorkers to afford basic home repairs. The very people this bill aims to help will be the ones paying the price,” said Francis Palasieski, Director of Government Relations, NRLA.

“The NY Heat Act will put many of my specialty trained gas workers on the unemployment line. This bill is expensive, and it will reduce jobs as well as consumer choice. I thank the Senate Republican Conference for their support and urge the Assembly and the Governor to reject the New York Heat Act in this year’s budget,” said Thomas J. Murphy, Vice President, Power, and Construction Group.

The governor’s office and legislative leaders are working under an April 1 deadline to adopt a new budget.

                                                                                                      -30-