The state of New York will become the first state to ban gas stoves and other fossil fuel appliances in new buildings in order to fight climate change.
The new restrictions will go into effect in 2026 and was voted into law on Tuesday in the state budget.
Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul insisted to reporters on Tuesday ahead of the vote that they report already installed stoves will be grandfathered in and won’t be banned.
“I want to be very clear. I know people love to misinterpret this, but people with existing gas stoves, you’re welcome to keep them,” Hochul said.
“This is where our nation has to go eventually,” she added. “But I want to make sure that it’s not a bumpy road to the transition.”
The ban will first apply to buildings below seven stories and will apply to the rest of the buildings in 2029. It also includes some exemptions, including backup generators, laboratories, car washes and commercial food establishments that are powered by fossil fuels.
In January, the American Gas Association pushed back against a new report claiming that natural gas stoves were emitting toxic gases that were harmful to people.
“Attempts to generate consumer fears with baseless allegations to justify the banning of natural gas is a misguided agenda that will not improve the environment or the health of consumers and would saddle vulnerable populations with significant costs,” the AGA said in a statement.
In response to public outcry against suggestions that gas stoves might be banned federally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric said that no such ban was being considered.
“Research indicates that emissions from gas stoves can be hazardous, and the CPSC is looking for ways to reduce related indoor air quality hazards,” Hoehn-Saric said in January.
“But to be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so,” he added.
Here’s a local news report about the decision:
New York becomes first state to ban natural gas in most new buildingswww.youtube.com
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