New York Leads Nation with First Statewide Ban on Fossil Fuels in New Buildings
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📰 The quick summary: New York has become the first state in the nation to ban fossil fuels in most new buildings, requiring all-electric construction for better air quality and lower energy costs.
📈 One key stat: Buildings account for 31 percent of New York’s planet-warming pollution, making this regulation a significant step toward reducing climate impact.
💬 One key quote: “I’m excited that we are finally tackling, statewide, our largest source of fossil-fuel emissions,” said state Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, who sponsored the 2023 legislation.
1️⃣ The big picture: New York has finalized groundbreaking rules requiring most new buildings to be constructed without gas or other fossil fuel infrastructure. The regulations, approved by the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council on July 25th, will apply to structures up to seven stories tall beginning December 31, 2025, with larger buildings following in 2029. This policy shift is significant as buildings contribute nearly a third of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of conventional gas appliances, new construction will feature electric heat pumps and heat-pump water heaters, reducing harmful indoor air pollution while typically lowering energy costs for residents.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: The all-electric building standard will substantially improve indoor and outdoor air quality by eliminating fossil-fuel-burning appliances that emit harmful pollutants linked to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Research shows these health impacts disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color, with gas stoves alone linked to nearly one in five childhood asthma cases in New York. Beyond health benefits, all-electric construction typically costs about $8,000 less than buildings equipped for fossil fuels, since developers don’t need to install gas infrastructure. Residents will save an average of $5,000 over 30 years through reduced energy consumption, with payback periods of 10 years or less.
3️⃣ What’s next: Building developers across New York will need to adapt their construction plans to meet the new all-electric requirements before the December 2025 deadline. The state will likely develop implementation guidance and potentially additional incentives to support the transition. Advocates now intend to focus on getting fossil fuels out of existing buildings throughout the state, which represents the next frontier in building decarbonization.
Read the full story here: Grist – New York becomes first state to commit to all-electric new buildings
