Senate Republicans to Governor: Veto Sente Bill No. 8417

 

This “100-foot rule” requires utilities to cover the cost of new gas service connections located within 100 feet of an existing main. S.8417/A.8888 repeals the 100 foot rule, which will result in shifting these costs, which range from $2,500 to $10,000 per building, to residents and businesses. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has also indicated eliminating the 100-foot rule could accelerate an unsustainable transition, pushing more customers to depend on an already overstressed electric grid without adequate generation or storage capacity.   

 

 

“This bill will only continue to drive up costs on New Yorkers who are already struggling with energy affordability. Democrat's delusional energy policies have once again gotten in the way of realistic solutions for hardworking New Yorkers. This is a bad bill that should have never been passed, and the Governor should do the right thing and veto it. Our Conference will continue to advocate for smart, realistic, cost effective energy solutions,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

 

“As Ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, I urge Governor Hochul to acknowledge common sense by vetoing this harmful legislation. Signing it will raise costs for families and businesses, cost hardworking men and women of labor their careers and harm our residents' access to affordable and clean energy.  Until Albany Democrats offer a realistic plan that protects current residents, we must expand access to clean natural gas instead of trying to ban it.  New York must instead support the NESE and Constitution Pipelines, make sure our residents have the energy they need and do all it can to make energy affordable before more New Yorkers decide they have had enough and move to states with more sensible energy policies,” said Senator Mario Mattera, ranking member of the Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

 

“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 taxpayers, destroying family budgets, killing local jobs, and weakening local economies with the promise of very minimal or realistic benefits for most New Yorkers. 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 of the Energy and Telecommunications Committee.

 

“I urge Governor Hochul to veto this first step in banning natural gas service in New York. The result will be increased prices for ratepayers and users of the low-carbon fuel. At the same time, this legislation would decrease reliability and increase pressure on New York's electrical grid. It's time to apply some common sense,” said Senator Mark Walczyk, member of the Energy and Telecommunications Committee.