Rising utility bills and affordability are top of mind for many New Yorkers. Consumers are fed up and protesting against Con Edison’s proposed 11% electric and 13% gas rate hikes in Westchester and New York City. Who can blame them: 1 in 7 New York households are two months or more behind on their energy bills, and 1 in 4 households pay more than 6% of their income on energy costs. As elected officials, we regularly hear from worried constituents wondering what can be done. Fortunately, we have an opportunity to take action in the upcoming state budget.

New Yorkers are paying more every year for the same outdated, dirty system, when we could be paying less for new, better technology. The NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act, known as NY HEAT, is a forward-looking plan that transitions us away from fossil fuels. It will save New Yorkers money on their utility bills while providing modern heating,........

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