Washington, D.C. — In January, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) called for state legislation to electrify 2 million homes this decade and to set a date for all new buildings constructed in the state to use zero-emission heating technologies. As the New York State Legislature works to finalize the state budget, Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
Gov. Hochul and leaders in the state Legislature have an opportunity to start building a clean energy economy now. Legislation to require all-electric heating in new buildings as soon as possible will create jobs, cut household energy costs, protect people from indoor air pollution, and fight climate change. There has never been a better time to make the shift that will help move our country toward real energy independence. The push for building electrification shows true leadership from Gov. Hochul and state lawmakers.
New York City last year decided to require all new buildings to use electric heating starting in 2023 if less than seven stories tall, or by 2027 if taller. Roughly one-third of New York state’s greenhouse gas emissions are the result of fossil fuel combustion in buildings. The Center for American Progress has called for rebates at the federal level to support homeowners who choose to switch from fossil fuel furnaces and other appliances to efficient, electric alternatives. These incentives were subsequently included in the House-passed Build Back Better legislation.
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