Students Rally for the NY Heat Act

By Shaya Silberstein 

Students from the Environmental Action group aimed to get letters written to the district in support of the NY Heat Act.

“We are writing letters to our district representative, Chris Burdick, to support the NY Heat Act,” said Roxane Guyton-Von Eck, a theater and performance major. “The New York Heat Act is an initiative that aims to move every building in New York away from fossil fuels and into renewable energy sources.” Guyton-Von Eck also mentioned that this would lower energy costs for low-income families by around $136.

Table set up for the letter signing for NY Heat Act (Photo by Shaya Silberstein) 

Guyton-Von Eck plans on gathering 40 letters from students addressed to Governor Kathy Hochul to encourage her to back the NY Heat Act and the Stop Climate Polluter Handouts Act.

Elijah Silver, an environmental studies major, highlighted the issue of housing insulation near gas mains, "It would also stop the expansion. Currently, there's a law called the Public Service Law, which states that any house within 100 feet of a gas main means the gas company must provide them with free insulation." 

Silver further explained that passing this act would help reduce monthly expenses for residents, as taxpayer money covers the free insulation provided to homes close to gas mains.

Students shared their thoughts on the importance of this act. Rosario Pastrana-Palmer, a sociology major and art management minor, expressed concerns about fossil fuels, stating, “I’m not completely familiar with the subject, but isn’t fossil fuel really flammable?" She also suggested alternatives for people living near gas lines. "You know how there are abandoned malls? I think those types of buildings could be redeveloped and renovated to make them livable."

Graphic explaining what the New York Heat act is (Photo by Shaya Silberstein)

Silver hopes for a response from the district, "It’s definitely possible. I know writing letters is the most effective way. I believe that many of us, especially younger people, can make a difference."

"The trees and the animals have no voice, so we have to be their voice," said Guyton-Von Eck.

Guyton-Von Eck continued, "We can’t wait around for someone to come and save us, we are the ones who are going to save us and the planet."