Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) and other members of the Assembly Minority have sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, urging her to veto bill A.8888. This bill proposes eliminating New York’s 100-foot rule, which currently requires utilities to pay for new gas hookups within 100 feet of an existing main line. The legislators argue that repealing this rule would increase financial burdens on consumers.
In their letter, the lawmakers stated, “Eliminating this rule would shift thousands of dollars in new hookup costs (estimated at $3,000 to $15,000 per connection) directly onto households, builders, and renters. At a time when New York is facing an affordability crisis, a historic shortage of housing, and rising energy costs, this additional burden is unnecessary and counterproductive.”
They also highlighted the role of natural gas in ensuring reliable energy for residents: “Natural gas remains an essential, reliable, and affordable energy source for nearly 60% of New York households. During the deadly 2022 Buffalo blizzard, natural gas service allowed many homes to retain heat even as the electric grid failed, underscoring that diversifying energy sources is critical for public safety, particularly in upstate communities where harsh winter weather is common.”
Palmesano criticized efforts by Majority lawmakers to transition away from natural gas infrastructure toward full electrification. He said: “For years, Majority lawmakers in Albany have made it known that their plan is to completely dismantle the natural gas infrastructure, supply and delivery system in New York and move to the complete electrification of the grid. This will negatively impact New York in multiple ways. For starters, natural gas is affordable and reliable. Adding an additional cost to use natural gas will make it unaffordable. At a time when New Yorkers are struggling, this is completely unfair. Also, our electric grid cannot handle the additional strain. Removal of the 100-foot rule would add that strain to the grid, potentially resulting in blackouts, which would put New Yorkers in danger, especially during winter when the weather is freezing in much of upstate. Finally, this is just another step designed to take away consumer choice on how you heat your home, cook your food, power your building and the vehicle you drive.”
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski) also commented: “The 100-foot rule is another green-energy mandate that forces New Yorkers to pay more and get less in return. The northeast is experiencing some of the most frigid temperatures of the year, with more to come.It’s an important reminder that driving energy prices up while driving energy availability down is delusional and dangerous. Roughly 60% of New York homes are powered by gas. Majority lawmakers attack on one of the state’s most important and reliable power sources–as energy demand continues to soar–will have disastrous consequences. Gov. Hochul should veto this bill.”
Palmesano concluded by calling on Governor Hochul to uphold her stated commitment to affordable and reliable energy: “Gov. Hochul continues to talk about her support for ‘an all-of-the-above’ approach and ‘affordable and reliable’ energy for New York families and businesses. If she is being honest, then she absolutely must veto this bill. To do otherwise would be completely disingenuous and a direct contradiction to her continued statements on this important issue. Gov. Hochul, do the right thing and veto this bill.”
