Governor Kathy Hochul (D.NY) announced Tuesday that New York would be the first state to ban natural gas heaters and appliances in new buildings. This is a fresh front in the fight against fossil fuels and their connection to certain air pollutants.
Hochul used her annual address, the State of the State, to demand that fossil fuels are banned from new buildings beginning in 2025. It would then be extended to larger buildings built after 2028.
The plan calls to end the sale of natural gas heating systems for buildings in 2030.
Hochul stated buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the State and account for a third of our total greenhouse gas production.
The plan would also give letter grades to larger state buildings based on their energy consumption. This will help property managers make informed decisions about reducing electricity bills.
This news comes as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reviews new regulations regarding natural gas stoves in the United States. This is because of research that links household appliances and air pollutants.
Gas stoves are used in 40% of U.S. homes and loved by many cooks. However, they can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other particulate matter.
Recent research shows that appliances can leak methane even if they are off. This is dangerous for planet warming and can be deadly.
Richard Trumka Jr. (Consumer Product Safety Commissioner) stated that the agency would take steps to reduce pollution related to asthma and other conditions.
Bloomberg said that “any option” was possible and described the pollutants in his words as a hidden danger.
He said that products that are unsafe can be banned.
House Republicans now make up the majority of the House and pledge to fight federal regulations that would ban natural-gas stoves.
In October, the Consumer Product Safety Commission sent a request for information. It asked for public data to determine hazards and solutions for natural-gas stoves.
A spokesperson from the agency told the Washington Examiner that they had started working with voluntary standard organizations to assess gas stove emissions and mitigate the dangers.
No new regulations have been proposed by.
