New York’s hottest climate legislation, the NY HEAT Act, is gaining momentum in Albany and it’s up to everyday New Yorkers to get it across the finish line. The NY HEAT Act would lower our utility bills and help move our homes and buildings off dirty fossil fuels.
The best chance of passing the transformative NY HEAT Act is by getting it passed in the state budget, which will be finalized by April 1st.
Join Renewable Heat Now and allies for a day of action and advocacy to get the NY HEAT Act included in the state budget. A mobilization of hundreds of people is critical to show Governor Hochul, Assembly Speaker Heastie, and Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins that they must prioritize climate & affordability by including the NY HEAT Act in this year’s budget.
What: Rally & Lobby Day in Albany for NY HEAT
Where: NYS Capitol, Albany
When: Wednesday March 13th, 11:00 am - 4 pm. See the schedule below.
Please RSVP ASAP to get a seat on a bus and so we can assign you to a lobby team (no prior experience required)!
Schedule:
11:00 am - 12:00 pm We will gather in the Legislative Office Building (LOB) Rooms 211 and 211A. There, you'll sign in and meet up with your lobby team leader. You can leave your coat etc. in this area during the day.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm Rally on the Million Dollar Staircase in the Capitol Building. (We have signs to share with everyone. If you want to bring your own hand-held signs too (no sticks or poles), you are welcome to bring them. Our core message is, "Cleaner Heat, Lower Bills!” “Pass NY HEAT in the Budget!")
12:45 pm - 1:00 pm March and Rally outside the Governor’s Office (2nd Floor, “War Room”)
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Lunch in Rooms 211 and 211A LOB (Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free wrap options will be available. Please bring your own reusable water bottle!) Get to know your Lobby Team.
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Lobbying. You may have scheduled lobby visits or do “elevator pitch”/”birddog” lobbying in the hallways with your team. Training provided.
4:15 pm - Board buses
4:30 pm - Buses Depart to return to NYC & Rockland County
Transportation Details:
Sign up for Carpooling: https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/2sfgyq
Manhattan Bus
Across from the Tick Tock Diner, intersection of 34th Street and 8th Avenue
7:15 am board buses
7:30 am sharp departure
(Will arrive back in NYC around 7:30 pm)
Brooklyn Bus
Location TBA
7:15 am board buses
7:30 am sharp departure
(Will arrive back in Brooklyn around 7:30 pm)
Rockland County Bus stop:
Nyack, Palisades Mall, Lot J
8:15 am
(the Manhattan bus will make a stop at the Palisades Mall to pick up new passengers)
(Will arrive back around 7 pm)
Remember to Bring:
Comfortable Shoes, Reusable Water Bottle, Renewable Heat Now t-shirt if you have one, snacks, medicine, a pen, and face masks encouraged.
Also, please take a COVID test the night prior.
Maps:
If you're traveling alone, please arrive a bit early to have time for parking and pass through security (no scissors, knitting needles, knives, sticks, poles…) on your way to the Legislative Office Building’s Third Floor Terrace, where it all begins.
For those of us who love a good map, here are three:
- a helpful Empire State Plaza Visitor Parking map for folks driving into Albany. MVP Lot frequently has openings when other
- an excellent map of the Empire State Plaza and Concourse and
- a great map of the NY State Capitol.
COVID safety:
Please take a rapid COVID test the night before or the morning of the 23rd and stay home if you are not feeling well. Masks are recommended. Masks will be available on the buses and at check-in. We highly suggest masking. Some legislators have a mask requirement for visitors. Let’s mask to keep each other healthy; we have a lot of work ahead of us!