ALBANY, N.Y. (WENY) -- New York Senate Republicans are urging their State Senate colleagues to remove the Home Energy Affordable Transition Act from this year's state budget.

Senate Republicans argue the bill would drive up utility costs, remove consumer choice and force homeowners to spend thousands to retrofit their heating units.

"The Albany Democrats continue to impose unaffordable and unrealistic energy mandates with no concern for their feasibility or reliability. They keep reaching deeper and deeper into the pockets of middle-class taxpayers, destroying family budgets, killing local jobs, and weakening local economies with the promise of very minimal or realistic benefits for most New Yorkers," said State Senator Tom O'Mara, a Republican who represents Big Flats and the surrounding area.

However, Senate Democrats say the HEAT Act would stop utility companies from charging customers for new gas pipeline projects, and would push companies to find cheaper forms of energy. 

Some also say the bill could save those who already can not pay their bills an average of $136 each month. Republican members argue the HEAT Act will raise rates for the 75% of New Yorkers who won't receive any assistance from the policy and cut thousands of local jobs by eliminating free gas hookups to customers living within a 100 feet of an existing line.

Since 2022, every major utility company in New York has raised prices at least once, according to legislators. NYSEG has raised rates at least twice in the past two years, with another rate hike planned for May of 2025.

The State Senate, led by Democrats, included the HEAT Act in their version of the budget. The State Assembly has yet to do the same.

The New York State budget is required by state law to be approved by April 1.