Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released a fiscal year 2025 budget that includes provisions to further curb the state’s reliance on natural gas as part of her administration’s efforts to combat climate change.
According to the governor’s office, the governor’s budget proposal includes provisions taken directly from the NY HEAT Act, also known as the Affordable Gas Transition Act, that “supports responsible, fair, and effective gas system transition planning.” It’s planned. Hochul’s office said the proposal would not force residents to transition away from gas, but the bill would give state regulators the power to indirectly facilitate such a transition. .
“The Affordable Gas Transition Act does not force existing customers to discontinue gas service,” a Hochul spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Governor Hochul will continue to prioritize the health and safety of New Yorkers by reducing harmful emissions and ensuring all New Yorkers continue to have access to affordable and reliable public services. ”
However, if passed by the state legislature, Hochul’s budget would provide incentives for power companies to encourage customers to adopt environmentally friendly gas alternatives and discontinue existing gas services.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during the State of the Union address on January 9, 2024 in Albany, New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The budget would also eliminate New York state’s so-called “100-foot” rule, which requires utilities to install gas connections for customers whose homes are within 100 feet of an existing pipeline. . The law has been the subject of intense criticism from environmentalists who say it encourages new customers to rely on gas service rather than electricity.
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“We applaud the Governor for including this necessary policy, which gives the Public Service Commission the authority and direction to align gas utility regulation and institutional planning with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. gender,” said left-wing climate change advocacy group Earthjustice. said in a statement.
“Importantly, this will eliminate the unjust 100-foot rule that forces everyday New Yorkers to pay more than $200 million each year to expand their gas systems. It also eliminates the need for fossil fuel supplies to residential customers. The obligation will also be abolished,” the group added. “This language required electric utilities to provide gas to residential customers, impeding the state’s transition to healthier and cheaper heating and cooling.”
Hochul’s proposal is the latest salvo in the governor’s fight to reduce carbon emissions across the state, particularly greenhouse gas emissions generated by the building and housing sector.
According to the Energy Information Administration, in 2022, more than 58% of all New York households relied on natural gas for heating, and an additional 17% used heating oil. (AP Photo/Thomas Kientzl, File)
Last year, she reached an agreement with the state Legislature to make all new construction of small buildings zero-emissions by December 2025, and all new construction of other buildings three years later. We have put together a budget proposal to make it mandatory. The law effectively begins a ban on gas hookups in new construction and is the first statewide law of its kind.
Mr. Hochul also expanded the New York Power Authority’s control over renewable energy development and the shutdown of fossil fuel generation.
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But her actions have come under fire from state Republicans, utility companies and labor unions, who say the state is not ready for a rapid transition to green energy. Both the New York Power Authority and the New York Independent Operators warned that Mr. Hochul’s plan could result in: negatively impacting the state’s power grid;while unions have warned there is still not enough green energy supply in the state.
According to state data, the building and housing sector has the largest carbon footprint among New York state’s economic sectors. (Gary Hershawn/Getty Images)
“Before proposals like the New York Heat Act can be considered, we need to have enough readily available and affordable alternative energy available across the state. We currently do not have that situation. ” said New York State AFL President Mario Cilento. The CIO, which represents millions of workers in 3,000 affiliated public sector, private sector and construction trade unions, told FOX News Digital.
“We believe New York State can lead by supporting the development of cleaner energy generation alternatives, including transitioning to proven thermal energy networks,” he continued. “This, along with strong labor standards in construction, maintenance, operations and supply chains, will help us meet CLCPA emissions reduction goals while creating good union jobs.”
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Overall, more than 58% of all New York households relied on natural gas for heating in 2022, and an additional 17% used heating oil, according to the Energy Information Administration. Additionally, 15% of households in the state were heated with electricity, with the largest share coming from natural gas power plants.
At the same time, the latest data from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that the buildings and housing sector produces 32% of New York’s total emissions, more than any other sector.
