New York to ban use of fossil fuel equipment

New York state is poised to phase in a ban on fossil fuel equipment in new construction starting in 2026, part of the state’s effort to switch to cleaner energy sources and reduce carbon emissions.

The governor’s office said New York would be the first state in the U.S. to advance such a ban via legislation. California and Washington have taken similar steps through their building codes, Politico reported.

On the flip side, at least 23 states have enacted laws that prevent state and local governments from regulating which energy sources homeowners and business owners use, according to Pew.

New York’s new rules were part of the $229 billion budget deal Hochul struck with leadership in the Democratic-controlled legislature last week.

New gas stoves or propane furnaces would be a thing of the past under the proposal, which would require homes and businesses to be fully electric starting in 2026. Existing buildings would be unaffected.

Any new construction seven stories and under would not be permitted to install fossil fuel equipment, though large commercial or industrial buildings 100,000 square feet or more would be exempt. By 2029, the ban would apply to all new construction.

New York City — the largest municipality in the U.S. — announced in 2021 that it was phasing in a similar prohibition on fossil fuels in new construction beginning this year.