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New York has become the first U.S. state to pass a law banning the use of natural gas for heating and cooking in some new buildings in order to reduce carbon emissions.
Just this Tuesday, the New York legislature passed a $229 billion state budget. Its legislation included this requirement that heating and cooking be all-electric in new buildings. This groundbreaking legislation absolves gas and propane heating appliances in existing homes and commercial premises, which account for 32% of total local carbon emissions, according to the state’s 2022 report.
The new climate law will come into force and will apply to new buildings of less than seven stories in 2026, and to those of more than seven stories in 2029. However, there are a number of exemptions that exempt emergency generators and industrial buildings such as hospitals, factories and restaurants.
A POLITICAL STRUGGLE FOR GAS
The ban on natural gas hookups in newly constructed commercial or residential buildings are morphing into political acts being championed by Democrats and environmental advocates alike. An entire community that continues to push for other states to adopt this ban that drinks from the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act passed in 2019.
Among the benefits of this new measure, which aims to reduce emissions by 40% by 2023, are improvements in health and environmental preservation. A law that also cites equity, inclusion and increased economic opportunities.
Despite this evolutionary paradigm for moving towards a sustainable future, there have been a number of political controversies from Republicans and oil and gas company leaders who are opposing the ban, arguing its negative effects on living costs, utility bills and construction delays. Similarly, states such as Texas, Arizona and Ohio are pushing for action against such bans.