NY puts off implementing law that would ban natural gas in new homes and buildings

New York state officials have agreed to suspend implementation of a revolutionary new rule that would ban natural gas or other fossil fuel equipment from all new homes and buildings of seven stories or less.

The All-Electric Buildings Act had been scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. Now it’s on hold.

The agreement to suspend implementation was made in a federal court case brought by a coalition of builder associations, gas equipment sellers and others seeking to overturn the new law. The state attorney general’s office agreed to a stipulation filed in court today that requires the state to suspend implementation until the court case is resolved.

Some home builders and other critics of the law claimed it could increase the cost of new housing at a time when many New Yorkers are already priced out of the market. But state officials and climate activists supported efforts to electrify buildings and phase out fossil fuel appliances as a critical part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office could not be reached immediately for comment. But Hochul had previously indicated she would consider requests from several state legislators that she delay the new rule.

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