I’m writing to let you know about the amazing work of the Renewable Heat Now campaign, building momentum in order to get the NY HEAT Act passed in the budget in 2024! There is a lot here, and I hope you will find time to read through and take action(s)!

 

After a busy fall of organizing for the NY HEAT Act across New York, the campaign held TWO press conferences on November 30. The day began with an article about the NY HEAT Act in City & State, and got better from there.

 

The Albany press conference and postcard delivery featured youth advocates for NY HEAT from across the state. Forty youth advocates and dozens of allies traveled to the Capitol from Cortland, Binghamton, NYC, Westchester County, Syracuse, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, and the Capital Region. Their powerful words, directed at Governor Hochul and the Legislature, came from the heart and from an understanding of how this crucial legislation will help people across NYS, guaranteeing energy affordability and starting the transition off of climate warming fracked gas for home heating. 

 

In NYC, 100 advocates rallied with lawmakers at City Hall Park to urge Governor Hochul to put the NY HEAT Act in next year's budget in order to relieve New Yorkers from skyrocketing utility bills and fight climate change. We cannot allow the buildout of additional fossil fuel infrastructure. It is is particularly egregious that this infrastructure buildout is being billed to NY ratepayers. Essentially, we are being forced to fund our own demise, and this must stop. 

 

As usual, the fossil fuel industry and gas utilities are pulling out all the stops to try to defeat this bill. We need to turn up the NY HEAT and build momentum to make sure this bill passes; together we are more powerful than those industry lobbyists!

 

 

1. Continue to invite your friends and allied networks to sign the online postcard asking Governor Hochul to put the NY HEAT Act into her budget. Sign-ons will remain open through January 9, 2024.

 

2. Sign up for the 2-Day NY HEAT Call Relay on December 14 and 15, and share the sign-up throughout your network of climate advocates! 190 calls over 2 days will definitely be noticed. Please sign up.

 

3. Join us at the December 14 Renewable Heat Now 7pm Power Hour, and please invite 3 friends concerned about the climate to join you. We'll roll out our strategy for the legislative session that starts in January. Register today so that we can send you a reminder.

 

4. Have you been eager to take a deeper dive into the NY HEAT Act? December 15 is the day! Register here and join the teach-in at noon Friday for this crucial bill. 

 

5. Keep your eyes open for an email about a social media action during the week of December 18!

 

6. Join the Renewable Heat Now campaign in Albany again this year! January 23 is our big Albany Rally and Lobby Day: Pass the NY HEAT Act! Register here and indicate the type of transportation that you prefer. Ask the friends you’d like to spend the day with to join you on this important mission. We will provide lunch and lobbying materials. It’s going to be empowering and impactful, and we can’t wait to greet you in Albany on the 23rd of January!

 

Thank you for reading all the way through. Winning this crucial climate legislation takes all of us helping to build momentum step by step. We hope you will join us in taking the steps outlined in this letter. 

 

All our best energy flowing toward you,

 

Program Director