Dear friends,

Last month we sent out a call for folks to join us in Albany for a Kick Fossil Fuels Out of Buildings Rally & Lobby Day. We're happy to report that our joint effort by Renewable Heat Now, Climate Can't Wait, Gas Free NY, and many other movement allies was a thrilling success! 



On January 24, 200 advocates were joined by 25 legislators who spoke about the urgency to transition to renewable heating and get fossil fuels out of New York's buildings. Following the rally on the Great Western Staircase, advocate groups visited over 100 legislators to ask for their support of the Renewable Heat Now Legislative Package. The package contains crucial bills and budget proposals to enable a just and equitable transition off fossil fuels in our homes.

On February 1, Governor Hochul released her executive budget. While the Governor reiterated her support for phasing out fossil fuel heating and appliances in new construction and for small programs to improve energy affordability, this budget proposal delays much needed actions by years, contradicts the proposals she outlined just last year, and falls far short of what the Renewable Heat Now (RHN) campaign and virtually all other climate and energy advocates support. Here is the RHN press release about the Governor's budget.

As usual, we have more work to do! To take successful next steps this budget season we need everyone to join us and continue to build the people power that will win urgently needed climate policy for New York. Please join us at 7:30PM on Thursday, February 9 for the Renewable Heat Now Power Hour where we will celebrate recent successes, plan next steps, and get some work done! Register here.

Ever grateful for your participation. We would not have gotten this far without you!

Andra Leimanis
Communications & Outreach Director
Alliance for a Green Economy 
   
P.S. You're also invited to participate in a special virtual advocacy day for the Energy Efficiency, Equity, and Jobs Act (EEEJA), one of the three bills in our RHN Legislative Package. Hosted by allies at WE ACT and the Energy Democracy Alliance (AGREE is a founding member), EEEJA virtual advocacy day will take place on Wednesday, March 15. Please register soon so that you can be assigned to a team. REGISTER HERE to indicate time slots when you are available.