NYC & NYS Bills to Eliminate Fossil Fuels Used in New Buildings
Updated: January 13, 2022
Legislation to prohibit the use of fossil fuels in new buildings is under consideration in both New York City and across New York State. The City legislation – INT 2317-2021 – has already passed the New York City Council and will require 2 impact studies by the Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability before it is to be signed by the mayor. The State legislation – Assembly Bill A08431 / Senate Bill S06843-A also known as “The Electric Building Act has been referred to respective committees.
The New York City Bill:
Int 2317-2021 – A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the use of substances with certain emissions profiles. This bill would prohibit the combustion of substances with certain emissions profiles in buildings within the City. This bill would also direct the Commissioner of Buildings to deny construction documents and permits in connection with a building that would require the combustion of these substances, with some exceptions. This bill would further require the Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability to conduct two studies: (1) a study regarding the use of heat pump technology; and (2) a study of the impact of this bill on the City’s electrical grid.
The New York State Bill:
A08431 / S06843-A – Enacts the “all-electric building act”; provides that no city, town, or village shall issue a permit for the construction of new buildings that are not an all-electric building if the initial application for a permit was submitted after December 31, 2023, unless certain circumstances apply.
In her State of the State address, Governor Hochul expressed support for a statewide ban on fossil fuels in new buildings, with a projected phase out by 2027. The State bill entitled The All-Electric Buildings Act would require the transition to electric technology in new construction to take place by 2024.
The legislation only concerns new construction, not with retrofitting older buildings.
In 2019, New York passed a law requiring the state to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Currently, New York still relies on fossil fuels including natural gas to produce much of its electricity, but it has a goal, also mandated in state law, of reaching 70 percent renewable energy by 2030.
Cahill Strategies will continue monitoring this legislation and will alert our clients and associates to any new developments.
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Robert “Bobby” D’Alessio, is a former New York City Department of Buildings Senior Executive Director of Construction Safety. Mr. D’Alessio’s focus is predominately in the areas of construction code and safety analysis for our clients’ major new building and renovation projects in the New York City and surrounding regions.
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