Prohibits the elimination of building systems or equipment used for the combustion of fossil fuels, including, natural gas, propane and fuel oil in new building construction.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6796
SPONSOR: Palmesano TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the energy law, in relation to prohibiting the elimi-
nation of building systems or equipment used for the combustion of
fossil fuels in new building construction
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
AN ACT to amend the energy law, in relation to preventing State code
from prohibiting building systems or equipment used for the combustion
of fossil fuels.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends Section 11-104 of the energy law to provide that State
code cannot prohibit building systems or equipment used for the
combustion of fossil fuels including, but not limited to, natural gas,
propane, and fuel oil, in any new building construction statewide, nor
in any existing building construction statewide, including renovations
and replacement of existing systems.
Section 2. Sets the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Since the establishment of the Climate Action Council (CAC) there has
been an aggressive push to transition to clean energy and all-electric
building systems. Due to the rapid desire of the CAC to implement this
transition, the State has made an impulsive push that is threatening to
ban equipment supported by fossil fuels, including gas stoves and home
heating equipment or appliances.
Retrofitting or replacing fossil-fuel powered equipment in homes may be
a substantial cost to homeowners. A recent report stated costs of
switching major appliances to electric could be as high as $35,800 per
household - 60% of New Yorkers heat their homes with natural gas. A
2020 study modeled the 20-year cost of ownership fora home with elec-
trical equipment at between $27,200 and $31,000 compared to $18,400'for
high-efficiency natural gas equipment. For the commercial sector, the
20-year cost of ownership for electrical equipment would be $167,200
compared to only $64,200 for gas-fired equipment. Electrification of
the State's residential and commercial sectors could place New York at a
competitive disadvantage compared to other states due to higher energy
and retrofit/conversion Costs.
This bill is necessary to prevent the State from interfering in one's
choice to install equipment and systems that are supported by fossil
fuels, including natural gas, propane, and fuel oil, by preventing the
State code from prohibiting these systems.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024 - A.6841, held in Energy
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately
