Albany, NY — This afternoon, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie stated that the NY HEAT Act — a broadly popular bill to lower energy bills amid New York’s ever-growing cost-of-living crisis — will not make it into the annual state budget.

In response, Laura Shindell, New York State Director at Food & Water Watch, issued the following statement:

“State leaders claim they care about cost of living, but the reality for most New Yorkers is that life is increasingly unaffordable — especially when it comes to utility bills. The solution isn’t complicated: cap what people pay and stop rubber-stamping fossil fuel projects that drive up ratepayer costs while polluting our homes. With the endless budget process almost over, it’s time for Speaker Heastie and the Assembly to stop making excuses, pass NY HEAT immediately, and prove they can actually do something meaningful for everyday New Yorkers.”

The NY HEAT Act would cap energy bills at 6% of household income  — saving one in four New Yorkers an average of $136/month. It would also help transition buildings, the state’s largest emissions source, off fossil fuels — reducing New Yorkers’ dependence on volatile gas prices and expensive, outdated gas infrastructure. The bill is backed by 70 Assembly cosponsors and has been passed by the Senate for two consecutive years, and is a leading priority for grassroots and environmental advocacy groups across the state.