NY Senate Republican Conference Calling on Special Legislative Session to Repeal All-Electric Building Mandate Following Recent Delay in Implementation

The New York Senate Republican Conference has called on Governor Kathy Hochul, via a letter, to call for a special legislative session to repeal the state’s All-Electric Building Mandate. The call comes just days after Hochul’s administration agreed to delay the implementation of the new law, which would’ve taken effect on January 1st.

In 2023, Governor Hochul signed into law provisions within the state budget that will ban natural gas and other fossil fuel hookups for most new residential and commercial buildings. It would’ve applied to buildings less than 7 stories, which would not be allowed to have any kind of fossil fuel hookups such as ovens, water heaters, etc. It would apply to all buildings come 2029. The ban did have exemptions for hospitals, car washes, laundromats, laboratories, manufacturing plants, and commercial food establishments.

The Republican Conference argues the mandate has repeatedly been proven to be unreachable and would increase costs for both families and businesses which could lead to the loss of jobs.

“Since 2019, we have been warning the administration that the State’s reckless push toward an all-electric future would drive up energy bills and jeopardize grid reliability,” the letter states. “NYISO’s latest report confirms those fears.”

Lawmakers noted that passage of S.1167, which is sponsored by the Ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee Mario R. Mattera (2nd Senate District), at a special session is the best path forward to protect state residents. The legislation is sponsored in the New York State Assembly by Assemblyman Michael Durso (A.6252).

“Governor Hochul’s socialist energy policy has increased costs, strained the grid and removed consumer choice. We must repeal the unrealistic and unaffordable mandates of the Democrats Green New Scam. Our Conference supports a diverse energy portfolio that ensures affordable options for all New Yorkers,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has reported the state’s electrical grid is already under “significant stress” and large-scale electrification without generating new capacity would threaten system stability. The mandate would also increase the cost of constructing a new house by as much as $20,000, Senate Republicans say.

“Construction costs in New York range from $200 to $350 per square foot, far above the national average of $162, with New York City approaching $500 per square foot. Residential electricity rates in New York are already 51% higher than the national average, and lawmakers warned that mandating all-electric homes will push those rates even higher.”