New York moves closer to banning gas stoves in new buildings

New York state lawmakers are lighting a fire under the gas stove debate.

Despite fierce criticism of plans, both rumored and proposed, to ban gas stoves from future buildings, members of the state legislature are preparing to enact the nation’s first legislative ban on fossil fuel-burning appliances.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS INTRODUCE NEW LEGISLATION TO PROTECT GAS STOVES

Prohibited appliances wouldn’t be limited to stoves, as Gov. Kathy Hochul and other Democrats are embracing restrictions on other household items that burn fossil fuels, including furnaces, water heaters, and clothes dryers.

“All eyes are on us, and a lot of other states are looking to what New York does,” Pat McClellan, policy director at the New York League of Conservation Voters, told Politico. “If we prove it can be done and we have the political will to do this, it’s going to open the floodgates for other states to take action.”

The proposal to end the use of the various appliances is in the state budget lawmakers will consider at the end of March. By passing a law preventing new buildings from installing gas stoves, New York would take the measures enacted by California and Washington to the next level. Those states have already started to crack down on fossil fuel-burning appliances via building codes.

While the proposal in the state budget limits restrictions to new buildings, the state’s climate plan does suggest banning the sale of gas stoves to existing buildings in the future, according to the outlet.

Proposals from the state Assembly, Senate, and governor include exemptions for businesses such as restaurants, as well as allowing for safety measures, such as backup generators.

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However, the plan to force individuals off fossil fuel-burning appliances doesn’t have support from everyone, including some Democrats, even if they are sympathetic to the end goal.

“I would prefer that we incentivize electric buildings, either through tax credits or other proposals, rather than forcing it as an issue because there’s a lot of concern and angst in particular in western New York,” Assemblywoman Monica Wallace told the outlet. “We shouldn’t necessarily ban people from pursuing other options if that’s what they want.”