The Blubber

New York is on track to become the first state in the United States to enact legislation prohibiting the combustion of fossil fuels in most newly constructed buildings. The law would phase out the use of gas stoves, furnaces, and propane heating systems, replacing them with environmentally friendly alternatives such as heat pumps and induction stoves.

The legislation is expected to take effect in 2026 for the majority of new buildings under seven stories in height, with an implementation date of 2029 for larger structures. Following extensive negotiations, Governor Kathy Hochul and state legislators incorporated the ban into the state's $229 billion budget deal. A final vote to formalize the law is anticipated to take place this week.

While states like California and Washington have utilized building codes to promote electrification, New York is set to become the first state to legislate the transition to zero-emissions homes and buildings. This statewide initiative builds on New York City's 2021 legislation, which prohibits natural gas hookups in new buildings starting at the end of 2022.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, New York was the sixth-largest consumer of natural gas among states in 2020, with natural gas accounting for 46% of the state's electricity generation. In 2021, the residential sector, where three out of every five households rely on natural gas for heating, constituted over one-third of the natural gas delivered to New York residents.

The combined impact of the state and city zero-emissions building legislation is projected to prevent up to 6.1 million metric tons of carbon emissions by 2040, equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 1.3 million cars, as per studies conducted by clean energy nonprofit RMI.

Alex Beauchamp, Northeast Region Director of Food & Water Watch, praised the state's efforts, stating, "New York state is leading the way in ending America's devastating addiction to fossil fuels. The rest of the country must now catch up."

The legislation may include exemptions for emergency backup generators, hospitals, laundromats, and commercial kitchens. It would not apply to existing residences with gas-powered appliances, meaning that emissions from current buildings, which represent about 32% of the state's total emissions, would not be affected.

The statewide ban aligns with New York's broader environmental goals, which include sourcing 70% of its electricity from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power by 2030, and achieving a net-zero emissions electricity sector by 2040.