Listen to the article HERE. By Emily Scott May 20, 2022 New York elected officials are calling on the General Assembly to pass legislation to transition new buildings off fossil fuels, saying it would make the state cleaner and healthier. The All-Electric Building Act would require new buildings to have all-electric appliances for space and water heating and cooking by 2023. It […]
Listen to the article HERE.
By Emily Scott
May 20, 2022
New York elected officials are calling on the General Assembly to pass legislation to transition new buildings off fossil fuels, saying it would make the state cleaner and healthier.
The All-Electric Building Act would require new buildings to have all-electric appliances for space and water heating and cooking by 2023. It also would mandate state agencies to identify policies to make electricity more affordable and accessible for low-income residents.
Dominic Frongillo, co-Founder of Elected Officials to Protect America, said it is about saving lives and money.
“Right here in New York, air pollution from burning gas and buildings leads to about 1,000 deaths a year and most of those are in communities of color,” Frongillo reported. “It’s a real, real harm to our public health.”
New York burns more fossil fuels in its buildings than any state in the country. Research shows an all-electric home in New York City would save households $6,800 over the course of 15 years.
The bill received a hearing last week and must be passed by the end of the legislative session June 2.
William Reinhardt, an Albany County legislator, and a former professional energy analyst with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, said in the long run, it makes the most sense economically to introduce new technologies through new construction.
“If you compare an all-electric building, new construction now, to a fossil-fuel building with central air conditioning, again new construction, so we are comparing apples to apples, the all-electric building is actually cheaper,” Reinhardt pointed out.
Under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019, New York is mandating 70% of all electricity generated in New York be from renewable sources by 2030. Officials say getting all newly-constructed buildings to be fossil fuel-free is key to achieving the goal.
References:
Senate Bill 6843 2022
Building pollution RMI 05/18/2021
Electric costs RMI 10/15/2020
CLCPA information City of New York 2022
