ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--IF PASSED BEFORE LAWMAKERS GO HOME, THE NEW YORK HEAT ACT COULD SAVE NEW YORKERS MONEY ON THEIR ENERGY BILLS – WHILE ALSO TRYING TO TRANSITION THE STATE AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS.   

WHILE MANY DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF THE LEGISLATION, REPUBLICANS ARE AGAINST IT.  
 
“You can’t discontinue an existing infrastructure that is reliable and affordable,” said Assembly Member Phil Palmesano (R-Corning).
 
BUT DEMOCRATS ARGUE THIS LEGISLATION IS CHEAPER FOR NEW YORKERS IN THE LONG RUN.  
 
“The traditional gas is getting less and less affordable. When we move towards renewable energy it is cheaper—costly at the front end, cheaper in the long run,” said Assembly Member Patricia Fahy (D-Assembly District 109)
 
THE NEW YORK HEAT ACT WOULD REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A transition PLAN FOR THE STATE TO MOVE AWAY FROM GAS HEATING. 
 
IT WOULD ALSO END WHAT IS CALLED THE 100 FOOT RULE, WHICH IS A FORM OF A CROSS-SUBSIDY FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL GAS RATE PAYERS WHO DO NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE COST OF A NEW GAS LINE IF THEY LIVE WITHIN 100 FEET OF AN EXISTING LINE.  
 
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS RULE—ALL THE OTHER RATE PAYERS END UP FOOTING THE BILL FOR THE GROUP OF CUSTOMERS WHO GET THEIR GAS CONNECTION FOR FREE.  
 
FAHY SAid GIVEN HOW LITTLE TIME IS LEFT, THE BILL MAY NOT END UP INCLUDING EVERYTHING LAWMAKERS HOPED FOR.  
 
“It’s the eleventh hour we’ve got to be flexible, I hope we still do the 100-foot rule. I think that’s critically important; I hope we still address some affordability,” she said. 
 
AND END OF SESSION ISN’T THE ONLY REASON WHY THERE IS URGENCY SURROUNDING THE BILL.  
 
SOME ADVOCATES SAid THE HEAT ACT IS MORE CRITICAL TO PASS NOW FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR’S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT TO DELAY A CONGESTION PRICING PLAN--THAT WOULD HAVE CHARGED DRIVERS MORE MONEY IN TOLLS FOR ENTERING MANHATTAN.
 
THIS IS LEGISLATION THAT HAS FAILED TO PASS IN THE ASSEMBLY FOR MANY YEARS – BUT SOME LAWMAKERS ARE HOLDING OUT HOPE THIS YEAR IT WILL FINALLY PASS BOTH HOUSES.  
 
THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY said THAT THEY HAVE HAD ONGOING CONVERSATIONS ON THE BILL -- BUT AT THIS POINT ITS STILL UNCLEAR WHETHER IT WILL BE PRINTED AND VOTED ON IN TIME.