New York will become the latest state in the U.S. to require new buildings to be zero-emissions if the latest state budget is approved.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the state will ban fossil fuel combustion in most new buildings under seven stories starting in 2026, with larger buildings covered in 2029, according to a Politico article. The new policy would prevent propane heating and gas furnaces in most new construction.
If approved, New York would be the first state to pass the standard through legislative action. Western states California and Washington established the standards through building codes.
The state seeks to reduce emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050, according to Politico. Commercial kitchens, emergency generators and hospitals would be exempted by the rule initially.
The implementation date for commercial buildings was a source of debate, as environmental advocates pushed for an earlier restriction date than the agreed upon Dec. 31, 2028, the expected application date for commercial buildings over 100,000 square feet, according to a Gov. Hochul spokesperson.
Dave Lubach is the executive editor for the Facility Market.
