Climate activists, elected officials call for inclusion of HEAT Act in state budget

The NY HEAT Act would regulate utilities to align with state climate justice and emission reduction goals, as well as allow the state Public Service Commission to line up its regulation of gas utilities with the climate goals outlined in the state’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, according to the bill’s text.

The event was held at the New Yorkers for Clean Power headquarters in Kingston, and was attended by representatives from environmental groups Food and Water Watch, New Yorkers for Clean Power, grassroots group For the Many, and research organization New York Public Interest Research Group, as well as local business owners and elected officials from Columbia and Ulster County.

The HEAT Act has 76 sponsors in the state Assembly, said Elizabeth Broad, New Yorkers for Clean Power campaign director.

“We have thousands of New Yorker’s across the state that have been pushing for this bill because they know that we need to start investing in solutions,” she said.

The health of future generations are dependent on less reliance on fossil fuels, Broad said.

“Our air would be cleaner, people would be healthier, our climate and our planet will have a chance, but we have to get off of fossil fuels as quickly as possible,” she said. “Right now, if the fossil fuel companies and gas utilities have their way, they are going to spend $150 billion to put in all new gas pipes.”

Hudson 1st Ward Supervisor Claire Cousin said it was crucial the 6 percent income cap, which would limit a household’s utility bills to 6 percent of their income, was included in the legislation.

“I cannot say enough how impactful it will be to families like mine,” she said.

People need advocates like those that attended the event to stand up for what’s right in their districts, Cousin said.

“We need champions like the folks that we have here today, that are not afraid to go into the Legislature and stand up for what’s right for the people of their district,” she said. “That are not beholden to utility companies and the fossil fuel industry, and that can say what needs to be done on behalf of the people of their district, and work hard to make sure that the full and most crucial version of the bill is passed.”

There is only one chance to save the planet, said state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-41.

“We have one opportunity to actually do the things we need to do, to put in the investments we need to put in, and to think about broad policy proposals that we need to champion in order for us to do anything else for the future,” Hinchey said. “Climate and the environment has to be our number one issue because without it, without a sustainable future, without a planet, nothing else matters.”

The impact of an unaffordable fossil fuel industry can already be seen, Hinchey said.

“We’ve heard about our rate increases, but we’re also paying for it as it pertains to storms,” she said. “The once-in-a-century storm that we’re now seeing every five years, the power outages and ice storms that are making it unsafe for people to live in our communities.

“We’re paying for it now. If we don’t do the right thing, if we don’t get the NY HEAT Act across the board this year through both of houses with the Legislature, and with the governor’s signature, we’re going to be paying more money on the back end continually to do what we know is right.”