Reaffirmation February 14, 2023

RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPPOSING GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S NATURAL GAS BAN

WHEREAS,  New York State Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her first State of the State address on January 5, 2022 and included a proposal for a first-of-its-kind statewide ban on natural gas hook-ups beginning in just five years from now in 2027; and

WHEREAS,  this proposal would require new homes and buildings to be heated completely by electricity or by installing heat pumps that cannot provide adequate heating for large buildings in urban areas;  and

WHEREAS,  this proposal is viewed as a first step to complete eliminate natural gas as a source of energy in New York State;  and

WHEREAS,  there are no reliable and affordable plans to provide alternative sources of electrical energy on this time scale ; and

WHEREAS,  natural gas is a reliable, clean and affordable source of energy and alternative energy sources are considerably more costly and will add dramatically to the cost of new development, business operating expenses, and residential budgets;  and

WHEREAS,  this proposal amounts to another hidden tax upon New York developers and new housing development, and will reduce disposable income and spending power, thereby curtailing economic activity;  and

WHEREAS;  this requirement will create additional incentives for developers to look for more affordable locations outside of New York and result in lower job creation;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce is opposed to Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to ban natural gas hook-ups on new homes and buildings across the state beginning in 2027.