Today, as world leaders gather in Glasgow, Scotland for international climate talks, we joined advocates and elected officials in New York to announce the introduction of the All-Electric Building Act (S6843A) in the New York State Legislature. 

Burning fossil fuels in buildings for heat, hot water, and cooking accounts for approximately one-third of New York’s greenhouse gas emissions. This bill would help end fossil fuel expansion by banning fossil fuel systems in most new buildings beginning in 2024. 

If passed, the bill would make New York the first state in the country to enact a statewide all-electric code for new buildings. The bill also requires the development of electric rates, incentives, and other policies to ensure the energy for all-electric buildings will be affordable for New York’s residents.

“Fossil fuels cause one in five premature deaths worldwide, and New York State leads the country in indoor-air pollution related deaths due to burning fossil fuels in buildings,” said Avni Pravin, Deputy Policy Director at Alliance for a Green Economy, at a press conference earlier today. “Instead of this legacy, we can lead our nation with the passage of this common sense bill that improves our health and our living conditions while tackling climate change.”

Read the press release here, help us spread the word about this bill on Facebook and Twitter, and stay tuned for more news and action alerts as we gear up for a gas sunset in New York State!