OWEGO, N.Y. (WBNG) — With just four months until New York State adopts legislation to ban the installation of fossil fuel equipment in new buildings, Republicans at the local, state and federal level are raising awareness in opposition of this change.
“[State Democrats] woke up one morning and they decided it was time to declare war on natural gas and propane,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-NY23)
In an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the state is set to prohibit the use of natural gas in all new buildings seven stories or fewer beginning in 2026 and all new buildings in 2029.
Langworthy stood at Johnson’s pools and spas on Thursday to speak out against incoming state legislation. Langworthy and Owego Town Supervisor Donald Castellucci joined many Tioga County officials who fear a full transition to electric could lead to higher costs on the housing market.
“Whether you’re building a new home or buying a new home, whether you want to buy a new home 10 years from now,” Castellucci said. “You’re going to have no choice other than to start buying these houses that are being constructed now. If it’s not your choice, you might not find the house that you’re looking for.”
On Jan. 1 of next year, New York is set to become the first state to put this legislation into action. Langworthy believes this was signed more out of principle than of policy.
“These decisions that were made in Albany were not made based on technology, practicality or market demand. They were made simply for political ideology,” he said. “New York State wanted to be the leader and out-green other states.”
The republican representing New York’s 23rd district is combating this with legislation of his own. Langworthy introduced the Energy Choice Act during his first term, which would prevent state and local governments from limiting access to specific energy sources.
He said the bill has 46 co-sponsors and he hopes to get it signed by the president when Congress resumes proceedings in September. He said the deadline to get this signed is by the end of the year.
“The American people have the freedom of economic choice to decide what kind of energy they want to use in their home,” Langworthy said. “Just like they should have the freedom of choice in what car they want to drive.”
In a statement to 12 News on Thursday, Senior Communications Advisor on Energy and Environment for Governor Kathy Hochul, Ken Lovett, said, “Langworthy’s grandstanding and fearmongering is nothing more than a cynical attempt to divert attention from what is truly driving up the cost of building needed for housing—the tariffs he has wholeheartedly supported that have increased the costs of everything from lumber to steel to home appliances.”
See Lovett’s full statement below:
Langworthy’s grandstanding and fearmongering is nothing more than a cynical attempt to divert attention from what is truly driving up the cost of building needed for housing—the tariffs he has wholeheartedly supported that have increased the costs of everything from lumber to steel to home appliances.
Rather than parroting the tired GOP talking points against clean energy, Langworthy’s time would be better spent talking to his fellow Washington Republicans about stopping the tariffs that are driving up prices for all Americans, including the Western New York residents and businesses he swore to represent.
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