Speaker Heastie Statement

The Assembly today passed legislation that would remove the “100-foot rule” which requires existing utility ratepayers to subsidize the cost of connecting new ratepayers to the gas system. The conversations we heard on the floor of the People’s House from the other side of the aisle were misleading and riddled with fearmongering. Under current law, ratepayers shoulder all the costs for new connections to gas systems.

This legislation will keep families from having to pay their hard earned money to subsidize the cost of new gas hookups. Every year, New Yorkers spend $200 million on connecting new homes to the gas system. This bill doesn’t take away the ability to connect to gas, or force anyone to stop using gas in their homes.

This is about saving New Yorkers money and eliminating roadblocks to sustainable energy.