As part of the state’s new $229 billion budget, New York became the first state in the U.S. to ban the installation of gas-powered stoves and furnaces in most new buildings, signaling a major win for climate advocates.
While there are exceptions for larger industrial and commercial structures like hospitals, laundromats, restaurants and stores, the new legislation will largely require all new buildings smaller than seven stories tall to use all-electric heating and cooking appliances.
New buildings taller than seven stories are required to be all-electric by 2029.
Climate scientists have honed in on methane as a major source of global warming in recent months. In the first 20 years it sits in the atmosphere, methane has 80 times as much warming power as carbon dioxide, scientists say.
While the new regulations could be targeted by fossil fuel lobbyists for pushback, they do not require any alterations to existing structures that utilize natural gas for cooking and heating.
Only new builds will be affected.
The new law comes in response to a 2022 report that showed buildings are responsible for 32% of all warming emissions created by New York.
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