{"id":5035,"date":"2024-12-16T06:58:17","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T11:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weact.org\/?post_type=update&p=5035"},"modified":"2026-02-16T20:58:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T01:58:43","slug":"advocates-and-legislators-unite-to-lower-energy-costs-and-advance-climate-justice-at-we-acts-energy-affordability-workshop","status":"publish","type":"update","link":"https:\/\/weact.org\/es\/updates\/advocates-and-legislators-unite-to-lower-energy-costs-and-advance-climate-justice-at-we-acts-energy-affordability-workshop\/","title":{"rendered":"Advocates and Legislators Unite to Lower Energy Costs and Advance Climate Justice at WE ACT\u2019s Energy Affordability Workshop"},"template":"","class_list":["post-5035","update","type-update","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","update_type-press-release","focus_tax-climate-justice","focus_tax-energy-justice","person_tax-annie-carforo"],"acf":{"details":{"":null,"featured_image":5221,"update_type":[366],"focus_area":[6,7],"authors":[225],"abstract":""},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_hero_links","acfe_flexible_toggle":"","component_hero_links":{"title":"","abstract":"","links":null}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","acfe_flexible_toggle":"","component_wysiwyg":{"content":"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/b>\r\n<\/b> December 16<\/span>, 2024<\/span>\r\n<\/span> Contact: Jama Joseph, (646) 951-1648, jama.joseph@weact.org<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNEW YORK<\/strong> \u2013 On December 12, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, in partnership with Con Edison and the Public Utility Law Project of New York (PULP), hosted a community workshop to help Northern Manhattan residents struggling with rising energy bills. Held at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Community Center, the workshop offered guidance to eligible households on applying for energy affordability programs and provided a platform to advocate for the inclusion of the <\/span>NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (NY HEAT Act)<\/span><\/a> in Governor Hochul\u2019s executive budget. <\/span>The event, co-sponsored by State Senators Cordell Cleare (D-30), Robert Jackson (D-31), and Jos\u00e9 M. Serrano (D-29) along with Assemblymembers Manny De Los Santos (D-72), Yudelka Tapia (D-86), and Al Taylor (D-71), underscored the urgent need to address New York\u2019s affordability and climate crises.<\/span>\r\n\r\nQUOTES FROM LEADERS<\/b>\r\n\u201cNew Yorkers are being crushed by rising energy costs, and it\u2019s time for bold action. The NY HEAT Act will deliver real relief\u2014cutting bills, curbing energy burdens, and putting more money back in the pockets of working families. This is a chance to lead with strength, lower costs, and move toward a cleaner, more affordable future. We can\u2019t wait another year\u2014New Yorkers deserve better, and we\u2019re fighting to deliver it now.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 Senator Robert Jackson (D-31)<\/b>\r\n\r\n\u201cWith energy costs rising and the climate crisis disproportionately affecting communities of color, I am proud to support the NY HEAT Act, an important piece of legislation that addresses both challenges. While we continue to fight for a sustainable future, there are immediate options to cover the costs of energy bills. Thank you to WE ACT for sponsoring this Energy Affordability Workshop, one of many efforts to advance environmental justice in our community.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 Senator Jos\u00e9 M. Serrano (D-29)<\/b>\r\n\r\n\u201cNew Yorkers are facing a crisis of affordability, with energy bills leaving too many families behind. The NY HEAT Act is a chance to provide real relief by capping energy costs at 6% of household income, saving families hundreds every month while accelerating our state\u2019s climate goals. This bill is a win for working families and a cleaner, healthier future for all New Yorkers.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia (D-86)<\/b>\r\n\r\n\u201cPeople in Uptown have been struggling to pay for everyday expenses, not least of which are energy bills. Constituents constantly come to my office for assistance to pay their utilities, and some were present at today\u2019s workshop. WE ACT, Con Edison, and PULP have been tremendous partners, offering support to help people navigate through assistance programs. And as we continue to see New Yorkers struggle with affordability while experiencing the damaging effects of climate change, it emphasizes the urgent need to pass the NY HEAT Act to move away from natural gas and make energy costs more affordable to those struggling the most to pay for it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos (D-72)<\/b>\r\n\r\n\u201cNew Yorkers deserve bold action to reduce rising energy costs and secure a cleaner, more sustainable future. NY HEAT isn\u2019t just another piece of legislation\u2014it\u2019s a transformative step that will drive down household expenses, expand access to clean energy, and deliver real relief for hardworking families. Let\u2019s seize this opportunity to empower our communities and protect our climate, together.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 Assemblymember Al Taylor (D-71)<\/b>\r\n\r\n\u201cToo many low-income families in New York are overwhelmed by energy costs, with some paying over 17% of their income on bills. The NY HEAT Act will lower these burdens, protect frontline communities from fossil fuel pollution, and advance clean, affordable energy solutions. We look forward to working with the Governor, state electeds, and community leaders to pass the NY HEAT Act in the upcoming session and deliver relief to those who need it most.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 Annie Carforo, WE ACT\u2019s Climate Justice Campaigns Manager<\/b>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBackground on the NY HEAT Act<\/b>\r\nThe NY HEAT Act will stop the expansion of New York\u2019s outdated and dangerous fracked gas system and modernize state laws to deliver cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable energy. The bill:<\/span>\r\n