Senate Republicans To Governor: Veto S.8417, Preserve Access To Our Natural Gas
December 12, 2025
Members of the Senate Republican Conference today sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her veto on S.8417 (Krueger) which would eliminate the “100-foot rule” for natural gas hookups to buildings, including residential homes.
“Eliminating the “100-foot rule” means homeowners will have to pay the full material and installation costs for connecting to natural gas service, costs that can reach $14,000 per home. This comes at a time when developers and homeowners are already facing steep cost increases,” the letter opens.
The “100-foot rule” requires utility companies to cover the cost of extending natural gas lines to new residential and business developments. By repealing this rule, Democrats in Albany have furthered their crusade against energy choice and natural gas specifically. In all, setting the stage for more utility rate hikes down the line.
“Natural gas remains an affordable, dependable energy source, powering roughly 4.5 million homes across New York. In the northern United States, natural gas is generally 40-60% cheaper than electricity for home heating. With families across the state struggling under an affordability crisis, now is not the time to adopt policies that make home construction, and homeownership, even more expensive. Natural gas is not only affordable; it is also more reliable. New York experiences harsh winters, and electric systems are particularly vulnerable to outages during storms and other periods of peak demand. Eliminating the 100-foot rule will force future homeowners, especially in upstate and rural communities, to shoulder higher costs while limiting access to the most reliable heating source available,” the letter continues.
“We talk a lot about affordability and the need for more affordable houses throughout New York State. Repealing the 100-foot rule goes against all of that, and will only make homebuilding more expensive, passing the increased costs onto builders and homeowners. If Governor Hochul wants to prove she cares about affordability, she can do so by vetoing this out-of-touch legislation,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.
“Repealing the 100-foot rule would hurt both homeowners and our environment, and Governor Hochul must stand up for families, businesses and hardworking men and women of labor by vetoing this ill-conceived legislation. For nearly 40 years, the 100-foot rule has helped New Yorkers replace old oil boilers with cleaner, more affordable natural gas by ensuring utilities cover the cost of connecting to a main line. This bill would force thousands of dollars in new expenses onto New Yorkers, push our state closer to an extreme all-electric mandate that our infrastructure simply isn’t ready to handle and cost our residents jobs. The Senate Republican Conference knows that if New York State is serious about affordability, reliability, and real climate progress, we need a comprehensive energy plan not an ideological ban. And we know that starts with Governor Hochul vetoing this legislation,” said Senator Mario Mattera, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.
“Access to natural gas is a critical safety issue. During severe weather and power outages, natural gas provides reliable energy when electric systems fail. Policies that restrict access to it put families at risk,” said Senator Jack M. Martins, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development.
“The American Dream of homeownership is becoming increasingly unattainable in New York State, due in no small part to misguided policy decisions in Albany. Saddling homeowners with the cost of connecting to natural gas service would be yet another example, and I strongly urge the Governor to veto this legislation. It is past time for the Governor and my Majority colleagues in the Legislature to put a stop to the costly policies and mandates that make homeownership unaffordable for so many New Yorkers and continue to drive residents out of our state,” said Senator Pam Helming, Member, Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development.
“Albany Democrats remain relentless in their pursuit of unaffordable and unrealistic energy mandates with no concern for their affordability, feasibility, or reliability. They keep reaching deeper and deeper into the pockets of middle-class ratepayers and taxpayers, destroying family budgets, killing local jobs, and weakening local economies with the promise of only very minimal and unrealistic benefits for most New Yorkers. At a time when the reliability of the state's electric grid is growing more tenuous with ever-growing electric demands, we have real concerns for reliable heat in winter months. This proposed action would be the latest addition to a disaster in the making and Governor Hochul should immediately veto it,” said Senator Tom O’Mara, Member, Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.
“Governor Hochul must veto the '100-foot rule.' This legislation is a direct assault on homeowners, forcing them to bear the brunt of outrageous costs when they can least afford it. It puts our families at risk during harsh winters by limiting access to a reliable energy source. We cannot afford to gamble with New Yorkers' safety and economic stability. Stand with your constituents, Governor, and deliver a decisive 'no' to this dangerous bill,” said Senator Mark Walczyk, Member, Senate Committees on Energy and Telecommunications/Housing, Construction and Community Development.
“These concerns are compounded by recent warnings from the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), which has identified emerging grid reliability challenges as the state pushes toward a zero-emissions electric grid by 2040. This legislation would hasten electrification at a time when the grid is not prepared to meet increased demand, driving up electric rates and putting additional strain on an already vulnerable system,” the letter concludes.
A full copy of the letter is attached.
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