NYC ramps up its climate action efforts with a new fossil fuel ban
New York, New York - The Big Apple is poised to walk the walk on climate action after introducing a ban on fossil fuels in new buildings, which would cut carbon emissions and also save money.
New York City's council passed Introduction 2317 December 15 to ban any fossil fuel use, including natural gas or oil for heating, in any new buildings built in the city, according to Ars Technica.
The council set 2023 as the start date for the ban on shorter buildings under seven stories in height, but as of 2027, the fossil fuel ban will apply to almost every single newly constructed building, regardless of height.
There are some exemptions for buildings like commercial kitchens, factories, and hospitals, and the ban won't be retrospectively applied to existing buildings. However, if and when their owners do major renovations, they will likely need to switch from gas and oil to go all-electric.
Instead of burning fossil fuels for energy, new buildings in the city will go electric, by using heat pumps for heating, air conditioning, and hot water, and switching to electric stoves for cooking.
Big benefits in multiple areas
The bill is a serious step for NYC, which currently ranks ahead of 41 states in carbon emissions from fossil fuels used in buildings, according to think tank RMI. The ban could save over two million tons of carbon emissions by 2040, which is the same amount of carbon emitted in a year from 450,000 cars.
The move to electrified buildings will also save ratepayers millions of dollars, because without the use of fossil fuels for heat and cooking, there's no need to install costly natural gas hookups.
In addition to saving money, the bill will also save lives. Curbing emissions from fossil fuel use in New York's buildings means there will be fewer early deaths from building-related air pollution, which is a bigger problem in New York State than anywhere else in the US.
The bill still needs to be signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is likely to give it his signature without delay.
Cover photo: IMAGO / Gonzales Photo