K A S H R U T . C O M_©

New York set to ban gas furnaces, stoves in new buildings

April 28, 2023 - from Politico:

"New York will require new buildings to be zero-emissions starting in 2026 and make a state authority a major player in developing renewables as part of this year’s budget, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced late Thursday.

"The state’s budget will ban fossil fuel combustion in most new buildings under seven stories starting in 2026, with larger buildings covered in 2029. That means no propane heating and no gas furnaces or stoves in most new construction.

"New York would be the first state to take this step through legislative action; California and Washington have done so through building codes.

"The measure will help the state achieve its ambitious mandate to slash emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 and was recommended in a plan approved in December by state agency heads and outside experts. Exemptions will be included for commercial kitchens, emergency generators and hospitals.

"But some key details have not yet been finalized. Hochul also indicated she expects the deal to include rebates to consumers as part of a cap-and-trade initiative for emissions, but a detailed agreement hasn’t been reached on that issue.

"There is no measure that eventually bans the replacement of gas furnaces in existing homes included in the budget, which Hochul had proposed and is recommended in the state’s climate plan. Lawmakers rejected that early on in negotiations. And none of the budget proposals included any measure targeting gas stoves in existing buildings.

"The state budget will include a provision to allow for rebates to New York residents under a cap-and-trade program that is expected to be rolled out in 2025 and will raise gas prices at the pump and home heating fuel costs. Some additional details about how the funds could be spent may also be included but details are not finalized, according to the governor’s office."

New York state relights the gas stove wars

March 16, 2023 - from Politico:

"New York lawmakers are on track to enact a statewide ban on gas heating and appliances in new buildings, a major marker in a partisan fight over fossil fuels and consumer choice.

"The state Assembly and Senate, controlled by Democrats, included different versions of a natural gas ban in their budget proposals that are expected to be reconciled, writes POLITICO’s E&E News reporter David Iaconangelo. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has said she supports a ban if it lands on her desk.

"t would be the first state to enact a full natural gas ban for new building developments — effectively requiring them to use electric heating and stoves.

"New York City, along with Seattle; Berkeley, Calif.; Eugene, Ore.; and Montgomery County, Md., have all passed legislation limiting fossil fuel use in new buildings. Washington state got closest to electrification requirements in 2022, but that included a carve-out for natural gas as a backup.

"On the other hand, 20 states have prohibited municipalities from imposing fossil fuel restrictions on builders.

"On Wednesday, Bay Area regulators in California agreed to phase out sales of gas boilers and water heaters in existing buildings.

"Amy Turner, senior fellow at Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, says if New York’s the first domino to fall, expect other states to follow suit.

"'If New York state is able to pass a building electrification requirement at this scale,” she said, “it will show other states around the country that this is not so scary, that it’s politically possible, it’s technically possible.'"