New York to ban gas stoves and heaters

New York will become the first state in the US to ban the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels in new buildings. The lawmakers agreed on this rule in the draft state budget, which is expected to be approved this week, according to The Buffalo News.

From December 31, 2025, developers will be required to comply with “zero-emission building” standards. At first, this will affect buildings up to 7 floors, and in 2028 it will spread to higher buildings. Developers will be required to replace fossil fuel appliances (gas stoves and ovens) with electric or induction hobs and electric heat pumps.

The law will not apply to all new buildings. In particular, hospitals, industrial enterprises, catering establishments will be excluded from it.

For now, the plan does not include any clauses to phase out or replace existing gas appliances, although the exact terms of the deal have yet to be announced.

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Environmentalists claim that all-electric heating systems offer greater safety during extreme weather events and lower utility costs.

Approximately 90 municipalities, including Los Angeles and Washington, DC, have taken steps to phase out the use of fossil fuels in new buildings. Last year, the state of Washington also banned gas heating in new commercial and multi-family buildings through a revision of its building codes.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the burning of fossil fuels in buildings accounts for about 13% of national greenhouse gas emissions.