New Yorkers rallied in front of National Grid's Brooklyn office on Wednesday to protest rising gas bills as the state mulls rolling back its climate law.
Several environmental advocates and nonprofits rallied outside the utility's Downtown Brooklyn office to demand lawmakers deliver real relief on utility bills. At the same time, the advocates were in dismay that Governor Kathy Hochul is looking to slow down the implementation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which would delay investments in environmentally-friendly energy sources.
National Grid’s third consecutive rate hike will raise rates for New York City and Long Island customers and will add an average of $22.09 to NYC customers’ gas bills every month, according to the advocates.This comes after last year’s $9.61 average hike, and 2024’s $30.18 — amounting to an increase of more than $60 in just three years.
“Governor Hochul claims she cares about energy affordability — then why is she attempting to destroy the state’s climate law and approving endless utility rate hikes for New Yorkers?” said Stephan Edel, executive director of NY Renews. “The governor’s proposal to weaken the Climate Law would cost New Yorkers up to $18 billion in energy bill credits and rebates, 150,000 good-paying jobs, and the lives of 5,000 people."
Rising gas bills are a source of monthly stress, said Katherine Thompson, a National Grid customer in Greenpoint.
“We’re being told this is necessary, but it’s clear that rising gas costs, not climate policy, are driving these increases," she said. "As a ratepayer, I want my money going toward real solutions that lower bills and invest in renewable energy, an investment in our children’s future, not more expensive fossil fuel infrastructure.”
As budget talks continue in Albany, the governor is now asking state legislators to approve a plan that would allow New York to maintain the fossil fuel status quo by changing how it accounts for methane, making it appear that New York’s emissions have declined when they have actually stayed the same, and also delay any requirement to introduce regulations for the law until December 31, 2030, advocates said.
"The governor is pushing a disastrous rollback of our climate law at the same time that fossil fuel utilities like National Grid are raising rates for the third straight year," said Kim Fraczek, director of Sane Energy Project. "Until lawmakers take action to actually get us off of dirty and expensive fossil fuels, more New Yorkers are going to continue to fall behind on their energy bills."
