{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Radio Chatskill","title":"New Yorkers Struggle With Skyrocketing Energy Bills as Advocates Push Governor to Act","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":922,"description":"Cold winter weather is driving up energy use across New York, leaving families struggling to heat their homes. More than 175 organizations—including clean energy advocates, local businesses, and low-income assistance groups—are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to act.They’ve launched the Building Electrification Equity Platform, a set of immediate policies aimed at lowering energy costs while moving the state toward a cleaner, more affordable energy future.Rising Costs Hit HardBetta Broad, Campaign Director at New Yorkers for Clean Power and  Director, Advocacy & Organizing at Association for Energy Affordability, said the crisis is urgent.“We have been submitting this platform to Governor Hochul for the last five years…And this year, even, it's more urgent than ever that the governor take immediate actions to lower people's utility bills.”She highlighted the strain on vulnerable households:“It's not easy, especially for people who are on fixed incomes, seniors, folks who are on delivered fuels, like propane and oil…Utility bills are starting to really hurt.”Long-Term Solutions: Weatherization and EfficiencyBroad says programs like Empower Plus and the Weatherization Assistance Program help families reduce bills and improve home comfort.“Every New Yorker should have a home that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer…This platform has a number of different programs that we really want to see the governor ramp up investments in so that people can upgrade their homes and reduce their energy bills.”Concerns Over State DecisionsRecent delays and approvals worry advocates:All-electric building law delayed:“It is cheaper to build all-electric new buildings than not. And now…it's just going to continue to marry more New Yorkers to this reliance on expensive fossil fuels.”New gas pipeline approved despite environmental concerns:“There will most likely be irreversible damage to the New York City Harbor…Downstate ratepayers are going to have to shoulder the burden of...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/q7XXsnSXT_u4mZLCn3chUorwDmUD_kWiB272D6emB18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80N2Uy/OGY5MWUwZThkYTEw/NDVkZGM2ZGZkZDIw/ZjliOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}