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Tompkins County Legislature backs state bills to curb emissions, urges end to new gas infrastructure
Summary
The Tompkins County Legislature voted to support a package of New York State bills aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including support for the New York Heat Act and measures to hold polluters financially responsible; the move followed public comment from local climate advocates and a divided floor debate.
The Tompkins County Legislature on May 6 approved a resolution urging New York State to adopt a set of legislative and regulatory measures aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions and limiting expansion of fossil-fuel infrastructure.
The resolution, moved by Legislator Veronica Pillar, expresses the county—s support for the New York Heat Act, a cap-and-invest approach and legislation described in the resolution as the Stop Climate Polluter Handout Act. It also opposes further buildout of gas pipeline capacity and the local application of what supporters described as a utility "100-foot" rule.
Supporters said the bills would help the state meet the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) targets and reduce costs borne by ratepayers. Martha Robertson, former chair of the Tompkins County Legislature, urged lawmakers to "trust the Climate and Sustainable Energy Board and just pass what they tell you to pass," and praised the revision of the local resolution.
Irene Weiser, representing the county—s Climate and Sustainable Energy Board, told legislators the New York Heat Act would stop new gas infrastructure and accelerate conversion of homes to electric heat pumps. She said new pipeline proposals could total about $1,500,000,000 over the next 10 years and argued that investment should instead go to electrification and assistance for low-income households that need repairs before they can switch heating systems.
Opponents on the floor warned of higher costs for consumers and questioned whether the package was the right mix of measures. Legislator Mike Sigler said he opposed provisions that he believed would raise electricity and natural-gas costs for residents and landlords. Others said the county should press for targeted mitigation such as flood control and other local resiliency measures.
After debate, the legislature voted in favor of the resolution. The chair reported the motion carried following the recorded tallies and procedural roll calls.
The resolution asks county leaders to share the county—s support with state officials and the county—s intergovernmental committee. It does not create a county funding commitment; it is an expression of legislative policy and a request for state action.
Legislators and allies said they plan to follow up through the county—s intergovernmental channels to press state lawmakers and state agencies on the measures named in the resolution.
