With the Trump Administration looming, Governor Hochul’s leadership to lower energy costs and fight greedy fracked gas companies is more important than ever


Peekskill, NY – On Thursday, December 12, Assembly Member Dana Levenberg and Westchester electors including Peekskill City Council Member Kathleen Talbot and Croton Village Trustee Len Simon joined Food & Water Watch and Mothers Out Front to unite against continued increases in heating costs and Governor Hochul is asking for the NY HEAT Act in her state budget, expected next month. The meeting is part of a statewide week of action, with additional rallies today in Kingston, Albany and the Adirondacks. Photos are available here; a recording is available here.


“My constituents need relief from their utility bills, plain and simple,” he said Assemblymember Dana Levenberg (D-95th District). “Utility rate increases are one of the top topics I get calls about in the office. We also need to slow the pace of climate change, making disasters like floods and forest fires more common. It is long past time to make the target of a 6% ceiling on energy costs for homes and an affordable transition from energy from fossil fuels a reality. That starts with the hiring of New York HEAT during next year’s budget. There is no more time to lose. Let’s get this done by 2025!”


Food and Water Watch Hudson Valley organizer Emily Skydel said:



“Westchester is facing an affordability crisis, with housing, food and energy costs rising. Governor Hochul must stand up for struggling New Yorkers by including the NY HEAT Act in her budget to reduce energy bills and stop wasting taxpayer dollars on building dirty gas systems.



As winter sets in, gas companies across the state are looking to raise rates again charge everyday New Yorkers 18% more for warmth. 1 in 4 New Yorkers can’t afford the energy prices – and a clear majority are desperate for policies that make life more affordable for them.


The NY HEAT Act, which would help control future gas rate increases, saves the families who need it most Average $136/monthand moving New York to a 21st century energy system is popular across party lines. The bill has broad support across the Legislature and nearly passed last year before dying in the General Assembly in the final days of the term. As bills mount, New Yorkers are demanding that Governor Hochul and Assembly lawmakers will honor their constituents and prioritize the NY HEAT Act when they return to Albany.


Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky (92nd District) said: “The NY HEAT Act will make New York both greener and more affordable by promoting the transition to renewable energy sources, reducing state subsidies for the fossil fuel industry, and limiting energy costs to six percent of household income. It is legislation that makes sense for New York and for New Yorkers, and it will have my full support when the Legislature returns to Albany in January.”


Kathleen Talbot, Peekskill City Councilwoman said: “Clean heat, lower energy bills and green jobs are a perfect trifecta of benefits for our residents. Kudos to our hardworking Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg for passing this important legislation.”


Village of Croton-on-Hudson Vice Mayor Len Simon said, “Croton-on-Hudson is grateful to Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg and her colleagues for renewing their fight to pass the HEAT Act in 2025. This much-needed measure would help all of Croton, but will have the greatest impact on those who do. costs are heavily burdened in our community. They are the ones who are especially keenly feeling the simultaneous impact of rising energy costs, rising home prices and inflation at the pump, the grocery store and so many other places that is eroding their monthly budgets. I look forward to assisting Assemblywoman Levenberg in any way possible to ensure the timely passage of the HEAT Act.”


George Latimer, Westchester County Executive said, “Every Westchester County resident deserves a home heating system that is safe, reliable and affordable for them. The NY HEAT Act paves the way for utilities to invest in modern and efficient technologies instead of expanding the existing gas network, and to ensure affordability by limiting costs for vulnerable customers. We are facing an energy crisis that will only get worse unless we take immediate action, and I am proud to join my colleagues in government in supporting this bill.”


Ken Jenkins, Westchester Assistant Director said, “The purpose of the NY HEAT Act is to accelerate a shift from dangerous, expensive fossil fuels to safer, cleaner heating technologies – a change necessary to protect our residents and our future. Westchester County homeowners cannot stomach another rate hike, and we all deserve heating and cooling systems that are affordable and reliable. I want to thank my colleagues in the administration for their initiative to advance the NY HEAT Act, and I look forward to the passage of this bill.”


Legislator Colin Smith of Westchester County (1st District) said, “All Westchester County residents deserve safe, reliable, affordable heating and cooling for their homes and a livable future for our families. Every New Yorker deserves to stay warm and keep the lights on. Unfortunately, millions of New Yorkers pay exorbitant amounts for energy and fall behind on their utility bills. That’s why I’m proud to support the NY HEAT Act. This law will provide significant relief by reducing bills to $75 per month for New Yorkers who need it most and capping utility bills at 6% of income, ensuring no one is left behind during the clean energy transition. The NY HEAT Act ends the fossil fuels that poison the air we breathe and creates tens of thousands of good green jobs by supporting investments in thermal energy grids, facilitating a just transition for gas industry workers, and creating clean energy jobs that use of existing skills such as pipe retrofitting and eliminating sources of pollution that disproportionately impact residents of lower incomes and communities of color. Thank you to Assemblywoman Levenberg for her leadership and tireless advocacy on our behalf in Albany.”


Ossining Mayor Rika Levin said: “By limiting residential energy costs in New York to 6%, we will save money while helping to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. These are two big wins for New Yorkers that will make things more affordable for today and help preserve a better future for tomorrow.”


Ossining Deputy Mayor Omar Lopez said: “Access to affordable, sustainable energy is a basic need, not a luxury. The New York HEAT Act takes a critical step to ensure that no household has to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table. By reducing energy costs and advancing our transition away from fossil fuels, this legislation aligns with both our environmental goals and our commitment to equality. I am proud to join my fellow leaders and advocates in supporting this critical bill.”


“Our energy bills are too high and the majority of Black and brown communities like Peekskill are paying more for climate warming pollution because the state is doing nothing about the oil and gas industry,” she said. Santosh Nandabalan, senior climate activist at New York Communities for Change. “NY Heat is long overdue and should be at the top of Governor Hochul’s to-do list to get done this budget season.”


United For Clean Energy co-organizer Tina Volz-Bongar said, “Governor Hochul, this is the heat we need to fund if the New York HEAT Act helps our Peekskill community, which is in dire need. We must put our money where its mouth is to fund clean energy initiatives and the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).”


Mothers Out Front volunteer Alyssa Smith said: “As a parent, I am very concerned about how climate change is affecting our air quality, and our children’s ability to enjoy the outdoors, something I took for granted growing up. Governor Hochul and Chairman Heastie should pass the NY HEAT Act so we can responsibly phase out methane heating, which pollutes our air and warms our planet, while helping struggling New Yorkers by lowering energy bills.




The story continues after this post




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