Rally to Block Natural Gas Ban

Rallying around the mantra, "We Need a Plan, Not a Ban," officials from across Long Island joined natural gas industry experts, labor leaders, and residents to support a lawsuit seeking to block Gov. Kathy Hochul from carrying out a ban on gas for residential and commercial use. Eliminating all energy options except electricity will have catastrophic financial repercussions on state residents, the group predicted.

"My family has worked for over a century to deliver, install, and service propane equipment," said Rick Cummings of the Mulhern Gas Company, the lead plaintiff in the case. "We have worked in blizzards, heatwaves, and tropical storms. Now, we have no idea what the future holds." He called for a "smooth transition that does not unnecessarily raise costs and impose burdens on families."

Representatives of the other entities joining the suit energized the 200-plus crowd at the state office building in Hauppauge in making their case against rushing into a gas ban without a plan to address the impact it will have on their industries and the public at large. Implementing one of the most restrictive green energy laws in the nation, the governor plans to ban the purchase of new gas stoves, as well as heating and cooling equipment, starting in December 2025. The suit asserts that the ban is preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).

Co-signers on the suit include the Plumbing Contractors Association of Long Island, National Association of Home Builders, New York State Builders Association, National Propane Gas Association, New York Propane Gas Association, Northeast Hearth Patio & Barbecue Association, Holmes Mechanical, Master Plumbers Council of New York, IBEW Local 1049, Plumbers Local 200, IBEW Local 97, and TWU Local 101.

"As the Ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, I have been extremely vocal about the need to have a clear plan that protects both our environment and our workers and residents," said Senator Mario Mattera, the rally's organizer. "New York's rushed move to ban fuel choice not only endangers the livelihoods of thousands but will also come at a considerable cost to our ratepayers. The ill-conceived ban violates federal energy law and must be stopped before it causes the damage we all know is coming."

Deer Park resident Ellen DiDomenico says the ban is an affront to the heritage of the Asian community, which traditionally uses gas for cooking and heating their homes. File Photo

Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano also spoke in support of the lawsuit: "The gas ban is essentially a regressive tax on New Yorkers. It will disproportionately burden seniors and lower and middle-class families, amplifying the costs of living in the 'Vampire State' due to rising inflation, taxes, and misguided energy policies." According to the assemblyman, the ban is a feature of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), a far-reaching plan by state Democrats to eliminate all fossil fuels by 2040.

More than 200 officials, industry reps, labor leaders, and residents rally in Hauppauge against the gas ban. File Photo

County Legislator Dominick Thorne, an emergency services volunteer, said the forced conversion of fire trucks, ambulances, and other rescue equipment to electric will "bankrupt the taxpayers and put firefighter lives at risk." He noted that the cost of battery-powered fire apparatus would be unaffordable for Long Island's departments.

"As we move away from fossil fuel, I want to make sure that there's enough electricity to serve our needs, grow the economy," said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Edward Romaine at the rally. "If we're relying on electricity that's generated by alternative power, we're not there yet. So instead of a ban, we need a plan to exit away from fossil fuel to green energy only when it's feasible to do so."

"Hundreds of plumbers on Long Island rely on new construction to feed their families and pay their mortgages," said Jimmy Russo, President of the Plumbing Contractors Association of Long Island. "This illegal law has essentially ripped the rug out from underneath them. It's not about 'what if' things turn negative. We are already seeing new construction leave Long Island. We are in full support of a green economy, but we should discuss how to transition without ruining lives. Our message to the lawmakers who passed this bill without thinking of our 600 members and their families on Long Island: enough is enough."

Also speaking at the event was Deer Park resident Ellen DiDomenico, who said, "This ban is an affront to the heritage of the Asian community, which traditionally uses gas for cooking and heating their homes. The policy interferes with our cherished cultural practices. This is not a community-based decision; you'll see restaurants forced out of business, people out of work. Governor Hochul is a racist targeting the Asian people."

Brookhaven Supervisor Edward Romaine at the gas ban rally. File Photo

The unintended consequences of New York's gas ban are widespread, according to the rally participants, and could negatively affect residents and communities from Niagara to Riverhead. Those effects could include:

•   Forcing businesses to downsize, close, or move out of New York.

•   Sparking layoffs and reduced hiring needs.

•   Triggering a significant increase in energy prices.

•   Exacerbating New York State's housing affordability crisis.

•   Destroying the reliability of an already overburdened electric grid.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit unanimously invalidated a similar gas ban in Berkeley, California, establishing that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act overrules it. The court in that case ruled that Berkeley's ban on gas piping in new buildings concerned the energy use of appliances covered and preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act, and therefore, Berkeley's law was struck down by the court.

"I find it ironic that we talk about our affordable housing crisis, while at the same time, pushing forward with plans like this that will drive up building costs, making housing even more unaffordable. It simply doesn't make sense," said Senator Dean Murray.

"New York's total ban on fossil fuel is unrealistic and unfair. With a grid that is already grossly overburdened, putting all of our energy 'eggs' in one basket is irresponsible and dangerous. Prohibiting fossil fuels in new buildings seven stories or lower is discriminatory, as members of the Orthodox Jewish community are prohibited from starting new fires on the Sabbath, as gas stoves currently provide - an important detail our governor is overlooking in areas where there are large Jewish populations. There are many more arguments to be made to preserve our freedom of choice. I proudly stand with our business owners and union leaders to fight against this abusive use of government power," said Senator Alexis Weik (8th Senate District).

"These issues impact every corner of our state, from businesses to individual workers. The bipartisan support against this ban showcases the shared concerns we have for the wellbeing of our communities," added Senator Mattera. "We have seen this type of policy struck down in California, and it is time for New York to heed the lessons from across the nation. Our state must realize that we need a realistic plan that protects our workers, our businesses, and our residents."

The bi-partisan group of elected officials attending the rally included state senators Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Jack Martins, Anthony Palumbo, Steve Rhoads, and Alexis Weik; state Assembly members Michael Durso, Michael Fitzpatrick, Edward Flood, Jodi Giglio, John Mikulin, Edward Ra; Suffolk legislators Nick Caracappa and Steven Flotteron; Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer, and Smithtown Supervisor Edward Wehrheim and Councilwoman Lisa M. Inzerillo.