New Yorkers recently saw implementation of the All-Electric Buildings Act temporarily delayed via federal court stipulation as the state faces ongoing legal challenges and concerns about affordability and grid readiness. This delay offers an important opportunity for deliberate reflection and planning, ensuring that New York’s climate goals remain balanced with economic realities.

State Gov. Kathy Hochul has shown leadership by listening to the concerns of working families, business leaders, and housing advocates, many of whom have rightly warned about the risk of steep costs and energy reliability issues under a rapid transition. By supporting a realistic and phased approach, the governor is demonstrating a commitment to bold climate action that does not come at the expense of affordability or reliability.

Hochul can continue to protect affordability by vetoing any attempt to repeal New York’s 100-foot rule, which currently allows communities to cost-effectively connect to existing natural gas systems at no cost to the consumer. Preserving this rule will ensure that families and small businesses are not forced into unaffordable retrofits, further ballooning rising consumer expenses.

Members of the Western New York delegation have also been key to framing this issue and promoting affordability on a bi-partisan basis. Republican Senate Leader Rob Ortt, has united his conference behind the idea that New York must preserve energy choice, study the real economic costs of any transition to electrification and put cost at the center of all decisions that state government considers.

On the Democratic side Assemblymember Bill Conrad has been a true leader in promoting common sense energy policies that are achievable and sustainable with realistic timelines. This bipartisanship is rare in today’s political climate and ought to be commended and trusted by the public. When two people who disagree on many other issues examine the facts and come to the same conclusion, such agreement should be credited.

New York’s progress on climate must go hand-in-hand with economic stability. Thanks to both the court’s intervention Governor Hochul’s pragmatic, compassionate leadership and strong bipartisan commitment to affordability, New York is better positioned to build a cleaner, more reliable energy future that meets the needs of all its citizens.

Dan Ortega is executive director of New Yorker for Affordable Energy.