New York, NY – Lawmakers and climate activists gathered today with champagne and hot cocoa to celebrate rare good news in climate progress: the start of New York City’s #GasFreeNYC law, in effect as of January 1st, which requires all new buildings under seven stories in the city to be built without burning fossil fuels for heat and hot water. Event recording available here.

New York is now the largest city in the country to pass a law requiring new buildings to be built with zero-emissions heating, creating a tipping point for the country and ushering in a new era of climate-friendly construction. New York City’s law is expected to produce as many as 20,000 all-electric homes each year, creating cleaner, safer air for New Yorkers and reducing planet-warming pollution from buildings.

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio said: “New York City is proof that it’s possible to end the era of fossil fuels – and save New Yorkers money, create good jobs, protect our health, and fight climate change. Congratulations to all who helped us make history. Now, it’s time for the rest of the country to follow our lead. If we can do it, anyone can.”

Food & Water Watch Northeast Region Director Alex Beauchamp said: 

“New York City’s landmark gas ban and Green New Deal are set to bring healthier buildings and cleaner skies to New York City. We have grassroots climate activists and bold political champions to thank for moving our city’s largest polluters off fossil fuels, reducing climate emissions, cleaning up indoor air pollution, and lowering energy bills. But this is not the end of the story — we must continue to move the city and state’s buildings off fossil fuels.”

The #GasFreeNYC law begins to tackle New York City’s single largest source of air and climate pollution: 70% of total gas emissions are from buildings. The #GasFreeNYC law applies to new construction, and will work in concert with other laws like the vital Local Law 97, in effect as of January 1, that will reduce pollution from existing large buildings. Under the #GasFreeNYC law, buildings under seven stories must be all-electric beginning on January 1st of this year; new buildings seven stories and higher will have to be all-electric beginning in 2027.

On the heels of this historic city action, a comprehensive statewide ban on fossil fuels in new construction will go into effect in 2026 for new buildings under seven stories, and 2029 for all new buildings in New York State.

NYC Comptroller Brad Lander said: “This year marks the start of two milestone laws that will transition our buildings off fossil fuels. We celebrate the first step toward gas free and sustainable buildings. LL154 and LL97 will ensure our city rises to the challenge of bringing in a just transition.”

Councilmember Lincoln Restler said: “There’s never been a more critical time to transition our buildings away from fossil fuels and replace heavily polluting appliances with safer and more climate friendly solutions for New York City!”

New York Communities for Change Co-Director Lucas Sanchez said: “On Monday, two huge laws that all of us worked so hard to win went into effect, creating good jobs and a safer climate. It’s great to take a moment to celebrate major progress for New York City and our communities.”

Ben Furnas, Executive Director, The 2030 Project: A Cornell Climate Initiative said: “The future of New York City’s buildings has arrived. These laws accelerate our transition away from fossil fuels, establish New York City as a global hub of climate leadership and innovation, and put us on a path to a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous electric future. Congratulations to all those who worked so hard inside and outside of government to bring us to this day.”

New York Public Interest Research Group Program Director Meg Ahearn said: “New York City is leading the way for the state and the country to transition our polluting buildings off fossil fuels. As you can see from the hardhats, these laws send a clear message that New York City is the place to be for a new green economy. Three cheers in this new year for cleaner air, good green jobs, and savings on our utility bills!” 

Special Advisor at Columbia and Former NYC Chief Climate Policy Advisor Daniel Zarrilli said: “At last month’s UN climate change conference, the world took a long overdue step and finally agreed to transition away from fossil fuels. Well, here in New York City, we’re years ahead in showing how that gets done. Don’t believe the skeptics. Ending our addiction to fossil fuels is both necessary and, as this project shows, is already happening. The climate policies over the last decade by New York City are already cleaning our air, creating good green jobs, and securing the clean energy industries of the future right here in the five boroughs. Congratulations to everyone who brought us to this important moment.”

WE ACT for Environmental Justice Climate Justice Campaign Manager Annie Carforo said: “Nearly 70 percent of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, the air pollution that is driving climate change, come from burning fossil fuels in buildings. The enactment of LL154 is great news for all New Yorkers, but especially for frontline communities that are overburdened and overexposed to health harming air pollution and the worst impacts of climate crisis.”

Councilmember Alexa Avilés said: “As we begin to gear up for the next two-year stretch of work in the council, it’s important to take stock of the wins we’ve had. LLs 154 and 97 are foundational measures that put New York City in the vanguard of green building construction in the United States. Let’s make sure these hard-fought wins are just the beginning. Our work is far from over.”

Diana Ayala, Deputy Speaker of the NYC Council said: “I am honored to kick off 2024 by celebrating the implementation of New York City’s ambitious climate laws: LL154 and LL97. With these laws now going into effect, New York City is closer to addressing pollution and climate change for the health and well-being of New Yorkers. I am excited to continue working with my colleagues to ensure we are on track to meet our ambitious climate goals.”

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