The Future of Energy in New York State

When New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (the Climate Act) was signed into law in 2019, it established a mandate for the most aggressive greenhouse gas reductions of any major economy. It also called for the formation of a Climate Action Council (CAC) to create a scoping plan outlining specific actions the State must take to comply with the law.

The Scoping Plan was released on December 19, 2022, and its recommendations, if approved and implemented, promise a complete overhaul of the state’s energy economy – with major impacts on transportation, buildings, electricity, industry, agriculture and more – including a near-total ban on the use of natural gas by residents and businesses.

Tell State Leaders New Yorkers Need Affordable, Reliable Energy

What’s Being Pushed

Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget Proposal includes drastic measures to eliminate most natural gas use across New York State and mandate electrification as quickly and comprehensively as possible. Mandatory deadlines are not tied to grid reliability and without regard for customer affordability. The proposal seeks to:

Ban the installation of natural gas equipment in new construction:

  • Smaller residential homes on or after Dec. 31, 2025
  • Commercial and larger residential buildings on or after Dec. 31, 2028

Ban the sale of natural gas furnaces and water heaters

  • For existing smaller residential buildings on or after Jan. 1, 2030
  • For existing commercial and larger residential buildings on or after Jan. 1, 2035

Overwhelming Public Opposition to Gas Bans

According to a Siena poll fielded in January 2023:

  • 87% of WNYers believe that NYS should create an energy mix that uses both natural gas and low or no carbon fuels.
  • 77% of WNYers oppose moving away from natural gas, and prefer the continued use of natural gas as one part of NYS’s energy plan.
  • 77% of WNYers believe that natural gas is a cleaner fossil fuel which we should continue to use to heat our homes and water as we gradually transition to zero carbon emissions.

National Fuel’s Position

National Fuel strongly opposes any plan that fails to ensure energy reliability and affordability.

  • Reliability must be maintained — The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the experts responsible for evaluating the state’s power grid for future reliability risks, has issued increasingly frequent, dire warnings about the reliability of the electric grid in the context of the state’s planned energy transformation.
    Mandating the electrification of space heating in Western New York when it’s uncertain the necessary power and electric infrastructure will be in place to meet resulting demand increase is irresponsible. We must assure reliable energy as a matter of public safety.
  • The costs of these measures are unacceptable — Mandated electrification would require an estimated conversion cost of $20,000 – $50,000 per household, according to consultants working with the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA). This would be in addition to the inevitable increase in electric rates that would result the cost adding new generation and building a new electric transmission and delivery system capable of meeting dramatically higher demand.
    Any proposal that fails to safeguard energy affordability for all residential and commercial customers must be rejected.

The emissions reduction goals of the Climate Act can be achieved through a more responsible approach that prioritizes energy reliability, affordability, and safety.

  • New York should not limit consumer options without first having a reliable replacement available that works. Embrace a more incremental approach that sets electrification targets linked to reliability milestones.
  • WNY residents are concerned about the dependence on a single source system during extreme weather events in a region 40-55% colder than downstate. A hybrid approach combining renewable energy and natural gas for heating can meet State’s emissions reduction goals without sacrificing energy reliability.

National Fuel’s Three Part Plan

National Fuel believes the best emissions reduction pathway is one that recognizes regional differences to provide environmental and economic sustainability while achieving the State’s emissions reduction targets while providing and maintaining energy delivery system resiliency, integrity and reliability. Our “All-of-the-Above Pathway” is a more affordable and practical way to meet New York’s Climate Act goals for Western New York homeowners and businesses.

  1. Energy Efficiency

    Scale-up investment in energy efficiency measures that emphasize weatherization and building shell retro-fits.

  2. Hybrid HVAC Systems

    Wide-spread adoption of hybrid/dual-fuel gas furnace and electric air-source heat pump HVAC systems.

  3. Existing Infrastructure

    Use existing, modernized natural gas infrastructure to incorporate low-carbon fuels like RNG and hydrogen.

Achieving a low-carbon future in New York State

Make your voice heard!

Tell State Leaders New Yorkers Need Affordable, Reliable Energy