New York state’s move to ban gas stoves, heaters and other fossil fuel appliances and equipment for new residential and other buildings is set to begin in phases by the end of the year, more than two years after the so-called All-Electric Buildings Act was enacted into the state budget.
The move is set to make New York the first U.S. state to mandate new all-electric buildings.
New York City, the largest U.S. commercial real estate market, already has Local Law 154 that also has stringent carbon emission limits for new buildings. Its implementation began last year, also in phases in the coming years, and effectively requires new construction to be electric powered.
The statewide law is set to officially begin after the Fire Prevention and Building Codes Council on Friday signed off on making the required changes involving the mandate in the building code, said to be the last step before the all-electric mandate can be implemented. The move came after a U.S. District Court last week denied a legal challenge against the law from trade groups and unions including New York State Builders Association.
The association didn't immediately respond to a CoStar News request seeking if there's any other recourse planned.
Effective Dec. 31, new buildings seven stories or less, with the exception of commercial or industrial buildings more than 100,000 square feet, will have to forgo gas stoves and appliances and go all electric, according to the state. Come Dec. 31, 2028, the law will apply to all new buildings, including large commercial properties.
There are some exceptions. For instance, restaurants, hospitals, doctors’ offices, factories and agricultural buildings will be automatically exempt from these requirements, according to the New York State Assembly. Existing buildings will not be impacted by the new mandates. That means properties that are being repaired or renovated can still use gas while existing appliances can also be replaced with new gas appliances, the assembly said.
Buildings account for about 32% of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, the assembly said on its website.