Albany, NY — Multiple sources and media reporting suggest that Speaker Heastie is blocking the inclusion of the NY HEAT Act in the final New York State budget, expected any day now. The NY HEAT Act is a priority of the grassroots climate movement, and politically popular legislation. The Senate and Governor both included elements of the bill in their budget proposals, and a majority of Assembly members co-sponsor the legislation.

Food & Water Watch Senior New York Organizer Laura Shindell, released the following statement:

“Year after year, Speaker Heastie has stood as a roadblock to real climate action in New York. His refusal to seriously engage on climate in the budget negotiations is a direct attack on young people inheriting a burning planet, poor folks struggling with high energy bills, and the majority of the Speaker’s own Assembly delegation who cosponsor and are fighting for the NY Heat Act in the budget. Speaker Heastie must come to the table, Senate Majority Leader Stewart Cousins and Governor Hochul must stand strong and pass the full NY HEAT Act in the state budget.”

The NY HEAT Act would eliminate the 100 foot rule and obligation to serve, which require utility customers to finance new gas lines; and it directs the state to cap energy bills at six percent of household income, in line with state and federal standards for energy burden. The NY HEAT Act is expected to cut bills nearly in half for 1 in 4 energy burdened New Yorkers.

Time to face it —~it’s people or plastics.~We can’t have both.

Become a plastic pollution fighter this Earth~ Day and have your gift MATCHED $3-to-$1!

Match my Gift