Erie County Legislator Jeanne Vinal has a very personal experience when it comes to having a gas versus a mandated all-electric option within her own house.
All Vinal has to do is remember when she and her family lost electric power in her Amherst house for nine days during the October 2006 surprise winter storm and they relied on a gas stove to feed herself, her husband and four sons.
Vinal is one of several county legislators - from both sides of the political aisle - who say pausing the controversial and largely criticized "All Electric Buildings Law" is a good thing for both businesses and homeowners.
"It's just not a good idea for Western New York," Vinal said.
Vinal, Democrat, noted that even in the new Highmark Stadium under construction, the Buffalo Bills are using gas-powered equipment and devices to heat the all-grass field.
"What does that say," Vinal said.
Fellow county lawmaker, Frank Todaro - the Lancaster Republican legislator - said he heard very personal concerns from some of his constituents who had fears about costs related to converting a house from gas to electric.
One resident, Todaro said, told him the conversion cost would exceed $18,000.
"They don't have that kind of money," Todaro said.
County lawmaker Lindsay Lorigo, also a Republican who represents such towns as West Seneca and Colden, called the pause "a good first step."
"But, the threat (of electrification) remains," Lorigo said. "We still have to fight this."
There is no exact timeframe or deadline for when the pause may expire. Some pundits believe it will remain in political dry dock until after next year's gubernatorial election - or, even longer.
Still, Tonawanda Democrat and Erie County Legislator John Bargnesi said he believes the longer the pause remains in effect, the more time there is to adjust the bill.
"I do believe we need to rethink the whole thing," Bargnesi said.