New York State is intensifying its efforts to support the Democrats’ initiative to prohibit gas appliances in American households in order to align with the green agenda’s objectives of combating climate change. On Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, unveiled her fiscal year 2025 budget, which includes provisions that align with her administration’s climate agenda.
The proposed budget by Gov. Hochul incorporates measures directly derived from the NY HEAT Act, also known as the Affordable Gas Transition Act, which further restricts the public’s usage of natural gas within the state.
According to the governor’s office, the proposed budget emphasizes responsible, fair, and efficient planning for transitioning the gas system. Although Hochul’s office stated that the proposal would not compel any residents to switch away from gas, the bill would grant state regulators the authority to indirectly encourage such a transition.
“The Affordable Gas Transition Act would not force any existing customers to get rid of their gas service,” a spokesperson for Hochul said in a statement.
“Governor Hochul continues to prioritize the health and safety of New Yorkers by reducing harmful emissions and ensuring all New Yorkers have continued access to affordable and reliable utility service.”
Hochul’s proposed budget, if approved by the state legislature, would compel utilities to offer incentives to customers to switch to eco-friendly options, urging them to terminate their current gas service. Furthermore, the budget would abolish New York’s controversial “100-foot” regulation, which requires utility companies to install a gas connection for any customer residing within 100 feet of a pre-existing pipeline. This regulation has faced significant backlash from environmental advocates who claim it promotes the use of gas over electricity among new consumers.
“We applaud the Governor’s inclusion of this necessary policy, which will give the Public Service Commission the authority and direction to align gas utility regulations and system planning with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act,” Earthjustice, a left-wing climate advocacy organization, said in a statement.
“Importantly, it will eliminate the unjust 100-foot rule, which forces everyday New Yorkers to pay for the expansion of the gas system to the tune of more than $200 million every year,” the group added.
“It also removes a mandate to provide fossil fuel to residential customers.
“This language, which obligated utilities to serve gas to residential customers, blocked the state’s transition to healthy, inexpensive heating and cooling.”
