New York May Ban Natural Gas Hookups

New York might become the first state to put a ban natural gas in new buildings under Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget deal.

Natural Gas is Bad?

The proposal has been a priority for environmental groups but was opposed by the oil and gas industry, and some consumers are skeptical.

New York state leaders led by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul reached an agreement late Thursday on the state’s 2024 budget which includes a future ban on natural gas hookups in new building construction.

The pending budget deal mandates all new buildings under seven stories be fully electric by 2026 with larger structures following three years later.

“Our budget prioritizes nation leading climate action that meets this moment with ambition and the commitment it demands,” Hochul said.

“And we have more to do, and we’re going to be working with the legislature, after we finalize the budget as well as getting through the end of the session…,” she added. 

While Hochul hailed the plan as a way to fight climate change, average New Yorkers said it was not so hot of an idea.

“Kathy should mind her own business and get out of our kitchens,” Yas Kantakis, a resident of Sutton Place, told The Post.

“Now she’s in our kitchens first, our bedrooms will be next. Why would somebody come into your private home and tell you what to do? We’re not communist yet – we’re getting there – but it’s just an insult.”

The Bill Still Has to be Voted On

The $229 billion budget still has to be voted on, but under the proposed deal, natural gas will be banned in small buildings in 2025, and large buildings in 2028.

The state is taking a cue from New York City and other local governments across the nation that have moved to require new homes and businesses to run on electric appliances. New York was the sixth-largest natural gas consumer in the U.S. in 2020, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. 

In January, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric said he’s not looking to ban gas stoves, but his agency is researching gas emissions in the stoves and exploring new ways to address the health risks.

Hoehn-Saric implored the public to provide the agency with information about gas stove emissions and potential solutions. 

Pushback on the Ban

Currently, there are not a lot of people on board with the natural gas ban, except for politicians aligned with WHO and WEF.

Some push back calling “inmates running the asylum.”

This person made light of the situation.

Here’s one person who’s excited about stoves being electric-only.

This person points out that in the cold of winter, electric might not be the best idea.

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