Ortt, State Senate GOP tell governor to keep 100-foot rule for natural gas service

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt

ALBANY – In response to the passage of S.8417 (Krueger) / A.8888 (Simon), the Senate Republican Conference, led by members of the State Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, penned a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul calling for a veto of this destructive legislation.

The bill, which passed both houses during the final hours of the 2025 Legislative session, would eliminate New York’s long standing “100-foot rule” for natural gas service.

This “100-foot rule” requires utilities to cover the cost of new gas service connections located within 100 feet of an existing main. S.8417/A.8888 repeals the 100 foot rule, which will result in shifting these costs, which range from $2,500 to $10,000 per building, to residents and businesses. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has also indicated eliminating the 100-foot rule could accelerate an unsustainable transition, pushing more customers to depend on an already overstressed electric grid without adequate generation or storage capacity.

“We write to respectfully urge you to veto Senate Bill No. 8417 (Krueger) / Assembly Bill No. 8888 (Simon), which would eliminate New York’s long standing “100-foot rule” for natural gas service. This rule currently requires utilities to cover the cost of new gas service connections located within 100 feet of an existing main. The proposed legislation would shift these costs—ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 per building—to customers, placing an undue burden on homeowners, builders, and renters across the state,” the letter reads.

“This bill will only continue to drive up costs on New Yorkers who are already struggling with energy affordability,” said Robert Ortt, the State Senate Republican Leader. “Democrats’ delusional energy policies have once again gotten in the way of realistic solutions for hardworking New Yorkers. This is a bad bill that should have never been passed, and the Governor should do the right thing and veto it. Our Conference will continue to advocate for smart, realistic, cost effective energy solutions.”

“While we support the state’s commitment to a clean energy future, the path to that future must be practical, affordable and reliable. Policies that undermine affordability and energy security, especially for working families, will only erode public confidence and deepen economic challenges.

For these reasons, we respectfully urge you to veto S.8417 / A.8888 and preserve the 100-foot rule for gas service in New York State,” closed the letter.