(Southern Tier, NY) - Last week, the New York State Senate Democratic Majority passed its One-House Budget Resolution, a strong and responsible financial plan focused on affordability, economic opportunity, and fairness that meets the needs facing working families across the Southern Tier. Today, Senator Webb highlighted some of the measures in the Senate’s One-House Budget focused on lowering utility costs and strengthening energy affordability. 

“My office receives hundreds of calls each week from constituents who are struggling to pay their utility bills,” said Senator Lea Webb. “Energy bills shouldn’t break the bank. I am working with my colleagues to deliver a final budget that demands accountability from utility companies and the Public Service Commission. Ratepayers deserve fairness and transparency when it comes to their utility bills. Our one-house budget resolution also makes big investments in programs that will increase energy affordability and lower costs for New Yorkers. I will continue to fight for ratepayers as we continue our budget negotiations.”

The Senate’s One-House Budget Resolution includes the following measures to lower utility bills: 

• Energy Affordability Program: $200 million.
• Heat Pump Rebate Program: Rebate of up to $2,000/30% of the overall cost of the heat pump.
• Public Utility Law Projects (PULP): Adds $2.75 million (total $3.25 million).
• Federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): Continue to allocate 10% of HEAP funding.
• Previously Owned Zero Emission Vehicles Rebate Program (S.2032A).
• $1 million for Intervenor Reimbursement Fund (S.2477).

The Senate’s One-House Budget Resolution also includes the following Article VII modifications of the Public Service Law:

• Returning Excess Utility Profits to Consumers (S.7693).
• Strengthening Oversight of Inappropriate Utility Expenses (S.3734B, S.1012A).
• Reforming Utility Rate Case Timelines (S.5593).
• Additional reporting and transparency requirements to the Executive proposal on energy affordability monitors.

Continued Senator Webb, “I am proud of the work we are doing to advance policies to lower utility bills for our constituents and to address energy affordability without moving backward on our state's clean energy and climate goals.” 

The full Senate One-House Budget Resolution may be found here. 

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