S8421

Senate Print 8421, sponsored by Sen. Krueger and amending the Public Service Law, was laid aside without debate or vote on the motion of Sen. Lanza.

The New York State Senate passed the Customer Savings and Reliability Act (S8421) on a 36-23 vote Wednesday, establishing a framework for voluntary, community-based transitions from natural gas and oil heating to alternative energy sources. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Liz Krueger, represents a revised version of the previously stalled New York HEAT Act and includes new provisions allowing utilities to opt out of participation and requiring 50 percent community approval before neighborhood transitions proceed. The legislation drew sharp criticism from Republican senators and some Democrats who questioned whether the state's aging electric grid can handle increased demand, whether ratepayers will ultimately bear infrastructure costs, and whether the transition timeline is realistic given recent warnings from the New York Independent System Operator about grid capacity constraints. Sen. Mattera argued the bill represents an unfunded mandate that will drive residents from the state, citing a 10 percent increase in utility bills since the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act's inception. Supporters, including Sen. Harckham, countered that over 2,000 New Yorkers die prematurely from fossil fuel consumption annually and that renewable energy costs are declining faster than natural gas prices. The bill requires Public Service Commission oversight and guarantees no customer will lose gas service until reliable alternatives are available. It takes effect December 31, 2025.