More Bans! NY Gov. Hochul seeks gas heating ban in new homes & buildings ‘because climate change remains the greatest threat to our planet’
New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, during her state of the state address Monday, announced plans to ban gas heating on the construction of new buildings over the next several years. ... "I’m proposing a plan to end the sale of new fossil powered heating equipment by 2030 by calling for construction of – all new construction needs to be zero emission – starting in 2025 for small buildings and 2028 for large buildings," Hochul said. "And we’re taking these steps now because climate change remains the greatest threat to our planet but also to our children and our grandchildren." ..
The zero-emission new construction and the phase out of the sale of new fossil fuel heating equipment are part of the governor’s ambitious new package of building decarbonization initiatives. ... Hochul’s proposal will create the Energy Affordability Guarantee to ensure participating New Yorkers never pay more than 6% of their incomes on electricity. She announced $200 million in relief for utility bills for up to 800,000 New York households earning under $75,000 a year that are not currently eligible for the state’s utility discount program.
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Climate Depot's Marc Morano: "We have reached peak insantiy. Americans wake up every day to find some unexpected executive order or a bureaucratic edict that has once again bypassed democracy, taking away their freedoms or choices. NY Gov. Hochul is the latest example as she has just announced that she plans to ban gas heating in new homes and building construction to stop 'climate change' which she claims is the 'greatest threat to our planet.' Just a few days earlier, we found out that an unelected bureaucrat at the Consumer Product Safety Commission decided to ban gas stoves. More mandates with no vote of democracy. See: Biden admin seeks ban on gas stoves based on single meta-analysis co-authored by climate activist group seeking ‘carbon free buildings’
Just like gas-powered car bans, restrictions on meat eating, and restrictions on high-yield agriculture to meet Net Zero goals, the climate agenda is following the COVID template by mandating consequential decisions on our lives without the consent of the governed. No one voted for gas car bans. No one voted for meat restrictions. No one voted for lockdowns or mask mandates or vax mandates Our ruling class's new message to the public -- who they view derisively as the masses -- is simple: 'We don't need no stinkin legislating.
All of these climate-inspired bans are nothing more than climate virtue signaling. All of these government gas bans -- which no one voted for -- will do nothing but increase energy costs, especially for the poorest in the U.S. Natural gas has been the reason the USA has led the world in reducing CO2 emissions. New Yorkers will suffer with more government mandates, and the climate (& global CO2 emissions) will not be impacted one ounce.
New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, during her state of the state address Monday, announced plans to ban gas heating on the construction of new buildings over the next several years.
Speaking to the state legislature in Albany, Hochul acknowledged soaring energy costs foot by homeowners and renters across the state, indirectly citing the Russia-Ukraine war in remarking on the “geopolitical forces outside our control but hitting our wallets right here at home.”
Arguing the homes in New York are some of the oldest in the nation, leaving them poorly insulated, the governor, elected to her first full term in November after taking over the helm from disgraced predecessor Andrew Cuomo, said buildings are the largest source of greenhouse emissions in the state, accounting for one third of our greenhouse gas output.
“I’m proposing a plan to end the sale of new fossil powered heating equipment by 2030 by calling for construction of – all new construction needs to be zero emission – starting in 2025 for small buildings and 2028 for large buildings,” Hochul said. “And we’re taking these steps now because climate change remains the greatest threat to our planet but also to our children and our grandchildren.”
The zero-emission new construction and the phase out of the sale of new fossil fuel heating equipment are part of the governor’s ambitious new package of building decarbonization initiatives.
Hochul’s proposal will create the Energy Affordability Guarantee to ensure participating New Yorkers never pay more than 6% of their incomes on electricity. She announced $200 million in relief for utility bills for up to 800,000 New York households earning under $75,000 a year that are not currently eligible for the state’s utility discount program.
In her address, Hochul recognized the aggressive mandates for reducing emissions implanted by the state legislature in 2019.
“Now we’re executing on that plan,” she said. “Of course, you must do it thoughtfully in a way that prioritizes affordability, protects those already struggling to get by, and corrects the environment injustices of the past. With this in mind, we’re pursuing a nation leading cap and invest program. To cap greenhouse emissions, invest in clean energy and prioritize the health and economic well-being of our families.”