NY’s Building Code Council has codified the All-Electric Building Act into its latest state code update.
Passed in 2023, the bill bans natural gas and other fossil fuels in newly constructed buildings. Beginning in 2026, buildings under seven stories must have all-electric heating and appliances. For taller buildings, the start date is 2029. A lawsuit was filed to keep the new law from being included in the building code update but courts ruled in favor of the All-Electric Buildings Act. Buildings are the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in New York and account for 32% of the state’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. The federal budget recently ended numerous tax credits designed to make shifting to renewables more affordable.