GAS BATTLE BEGINS: Labor unions and gas utilities are ramping up efforts to oppose ways to restrict subsidies for new hookups to the system. New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, a pleasantly named industry and labor-supported group, issued a statement in opposition of Hochul’s proposal to end the “obligation to serve” that requires gas utilities to connect new customers and the “100 foot rule” that subsidizes a portion of the costs of new hookups by charging other customers. Environmental advocates have pushed to address these policies for years, arguing the state’s utility law needs to be aligned with the climate law. But upstate and suburban Assembly Democrats are leery of the impacts. Arguments about higher costs for rehabbing old homes in upstate cities, more expenses for homeowners and potential backlash from voters if a transition is not well managed appear to be resonating. Daniel Ortega, executive director for New Yorkers for Affordable Energy and head of community affairs for Engineers Labor-Employee Cooperative (ELEC 825), said in a statement the group applauds Hochul for not including a key plank of the legislative proposal on this issue: a 6 percent of income cap on utility bills for low- and moderate-income New York residents. The governor wisely chose to “buck extremists” in leaving out the “wealth distribution scheme,” he said. Advocacy groups are gearing up to push for including the mandate, which could be paid for by higher costs for other utility customers, in the final budget. Ending the 100-foot rule “threatens good paying union jobs at a time when our state can ill afford such losses,” Ortega added. “In many areas, natural gas is the most affordable option for an average family. This proposal would move this choice out of reach for all but the most affluent families.” NYSERDA’s analysis shows new construction with all-electric equipment is nearing parity with gas for single-family homes. Retrofits can be more costly, but switching from oil to heat pumps ultimately provides savings. New Yorkers for Affordable Energy’s current steering committee members include ELEC 825, National Fuel Gas, Enbridg, Millennium Pipeline Co., and utility contractor Power and Construction Group Inc, according to a spokesman. The group is now launching its 2024 membership drive. It no longer lists members and funders of the group on its website. Ortega is scheduled to hold a press availability on the group’s agenda on Tuesday. — Marie J. French ANTI-VAPING PUSH: The state Department of Health is working on a campaign to reduce vaping among young people. Across the state, 18.7 percent of high schoolers were vapers, and the DOH is developing “quit vaping” materials for middle and high schoolers. “Exposure to nicotine during adolescence can cause addiction and damage to the developing adolescent brain, lungs, and overall health,” state health commissioner James McDonald said in a statement.. “The department remains committed to decreasing vaping among young people and providing them with the resources that will help keep them informed, healthy, and safe.” The department said today that it has produced posters, palm cards and rack cards to go in middle and high schools to promote the “Drop The Vape” campaign. – Shawn Ness THE COST OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM: A coalition of reform groups is asking Hochul to include $59.5 million for the state’s new public campaign financing system in next week’s budget plan. That’s a bit more than the amount that was requested by the new board that oversees the program, which asked for $39.5 million in a budget request letter. That’s the same amount that was allocated last year, and agencies were told to keep their requests flat. But Reinvent Albany’s Rachel Fauss pointed to the growing number of legislative candidates who have expressed interest in participating in the system – currently 175 of them – as a reason to expect budget needs might increase. “We want to encourage as many candidates to run as possible, so having a robust level of funding is going to give more confidence to candidates that funding is there for them,” she said. If the program runs out of money this fall, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has the authority to shift some additional money into it. “But it’s better to proactively address the issue rather than having to scramble for the funding,” Fauss said. –Bill Mahoney CHILD WELFARE: The city Administration for Children’s Services is looking to inform more New York City families about their rights from the beginning of a child welfare investigation. As part of an initial pilot program in parts of Brooklyn and the Bronx, child protective specialists gave out more than 400 notifications to parents who were the subject of an allegation of child abuse or neglect. The agency plans to expand the pilot citywide by July. “In doing so, we are taking an important step towards the mayor’s vision of safety, equity and justice," ACS commissioner Jess Dannhauser said in a statement. In October, the agency announced a new approach to address racial disparities among families that come to the attention of the child welfare system. Officials said the objective was to educate mandated reporters — individuals required by state law to report suspected child neglect — on ways to assist families without contacting the state’s child abuse hotline, and to reserve calls for when a child’s safety is at risk. — Madina Touré
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