New York officially banned natural gas with a historic decision!

New York became the first state in the US to ban gas connections in new buildings. Part of the state’s recently passed and long-delayed 2024 budget includes a policy known as the All Electric Buildings Act. With this law, we can say that New York is taking a big step towards a climate-friendly future.

New York natural gas banned

The state of New York has decided to phase out the use of fossil fuel equipment in new construction by 2026, as part of efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. The law follows growing restrictions on gas use in buildings across the country, but is historically significant in scale and scope.

From 2026, fossil fuel lines for gas-fired appliances, including combi boilers, furnaces or water heaters, will no longer be allowed in new buildings no higher than seven stories high in New York City. The same policy will apply to larger buildings from 2029. Instead, most new construction projects will need to be all-electric. An exception is also provided for buildings such as factories, hospitals and laboratories in the new law. But in general, gas connections are banned throughout the state. Therefore, there is a transition to fully electric heating and cooking. All residential constructions are also covered by the law. Existing buildings will not be affected by the law.

Why Is Gas Banned?

Methane gas, a fossil fuel often referred to as natural gas, powers burning stoves, water boilers and furnaces across the United States, as it does around the world. According to 2020 data from the U.S. Federal Energy Information Administration, about 61 percent of U.S. households need some type of gas appliance. In New York state, this rate is about 52 percent.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, more than 10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. come from the burning of fossil fuels for heating and cooking in commercial areas or homes. Therefore, in line with the carbon neutral target of the USA, local governments are aggressively trying to implement the relevant legal regulations. Similar laws are being worked on in other major states.