Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Phil Nanula isn't sure whether he should applaud or fear Gov. Kathy Hochul's desire to give New York's controversial Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act a second look.
"I'm utterly confused," Nanula admits.
Hochul, on March 20, said the CLCPA may need some changes, saying the goals laid out when the act was first introduced in 2019 by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo was "costly and unattainable."
That follows comments Hochul made March 16 in Buffalo that the state "needed a longer runway" when it came to CLCPA and its aggressive timeline for implementing climate change mandates.
But, Nanula - CEO of Essex Homes of Western New York and Buffalo Niagara Builders Association president - said the mixed signals has him and his fellow home builders unsure.
"Too much remains unclear," Nanula said.
CLCPA would force home builders to pivot away from traditional fossil fuel-driven utilities like heating systems, washers and dryers and even dishwashers to all-electric models.
That would drive up home building costs by more than 30%, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
Hochul, in her March 20 statement, changes must be made to "protect New Yorkers pocketbooks and economy."
CLCPA mandates has pitted environmental groups against more traditional business interests like home builders.
For now, Nanula is staying the course.
Essex Homes has four major subdivisions in varying development stages.
Nanula is looking ahead at other projects.
"It (CPCPA) is not stopping what we are doing," Nanula said.
