Albany, NY — Today is the first day of the 2025 New York State Legislative Session, where Governor Hochul has pledged to pursue an affordability agenda.

Food & Water Watch New York State Director Laura Shindell issued the following statement:

“The NY HEAT Act must be a Day One priority for Governor Hochul and our state legislature. Governor Hochul’s affordability mission is incomplete without a commitment to tackling skyrocketing energy bills. At a time when millions are struggling to keep the heat on, the NY HEAT Act will put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, and raise our quality of life.

“Governor Hochul and the legislature need some wins this year — passing the popular NY HEAT Act in the state budget is a no brainer.”

The NY HEAT Act would cap every New Yorker’s energy bill, saving the 1 in 4 families who can’t currently afford their bills up to $136/month on average. The NY HEAT Act would also eliminate the unfair 100-foot rule which forces New Yorkers to pay $200 million every year for new gas hookups accelerating the costly climate crisis.

The NY HEAT Act is popular across party lines. Governor Hochul embraced key parts of the NY HEAT Act in her last Executive Budget proposal, the Senate passed the bill twice, and the bill has support from a majority of Assemblymembers.