Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Just days after being elected the next Mayor of Buffalo, Sean Ryan spoke with WBEN for the first time about the state's new All Electric Building Act, poised to take effect Jan. 1.
"It's something that the private sector and government sector are wrestling with," he said.
The all electric legislation, would phase out fossil fuel systems, including natural gas, in most new buildings under seven stories, starting Jan. 1, 2026.
"I know the governor is looking at it, " added Ryan. "If changes need to be made, they'll be made. But I'm pretty sure they'll be ready for it."
Builders, contractors, business owners as well as many Republican members of the New York State Legislature have asked Governor Hochul to issue an Executive Order imposing a five-year moratorium on the benchmark deadlines tied to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
They cite major concerns about grid readiness, housing affordability, and energy reliability as the state moves to ban natural gas as an energy source.
Does Ryan expect a delay?
"A responsive government is one that looks at the impact of proposals like this. If it's not the impact that is desired you have to change it. I think this whole situation is definitely fluid," he said.
The incoming mayor also said when reflecting on deaths from the deadly Christmas Blizzard in 2022, that you have to remember the city's part in it.
"That storm was deadly because the city couldn't get its roads cleared. 30% of the snow plowing equipment wasn't working on the day of the storm.
Local government matters and if we want to control our own destiny, we have to make sure that we're delivering the basics for the people of Buffalo."