New York City Bans Natural Gas Connections to New Buildings

Protesters saw placards calling for a halt to the Williams Natural Gas Pipeline (also known as the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Pipeline) during a demonstration on Center Street next to City Hall Park in New York City.

Michael Brochstein | LightRakete | Getty Images

New York City Council voted Wednesday to pass a law banning the use of natural gas in most new buildings, a move that will significantly reduce climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions from the most populous city in the country.

The bill is now being sent to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s desk for signature. After signing, the measure will come into effect at the end of 2023 for some buildings below seven floors and in 2027 for higher buildings. Hospitals, large kitchens and laundromats are exempt from the ban.

The law requires construction projects submitted for approval after 2027 to use sources such as electricity for stoves, space heaters and kettles instead of gas or oil. Residents who currently have gas stoves and heaters in their homes will not be affected unless they move to a new building.

New York state was the sixth largest consumer of natural gas in the country in 2019, according to the US Energy Information Administration. While the state’s electricity today comes primarily from natural gas, which when burned produces carbon dioxide emissions, nuclear and hydropower are also major sources, providing 29% and 11% of electricity production respectively in 2020 – and none of these energy sources are producing carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, the state power grid will continue to get cleaner during the switch to renewable energies.

Buildings in New York City are responsible for around 70% of greenhouse gases. Today’s ban is likely to drive a commitment by New York State to get 70% of its electricity from renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydropower by 2030, and to achieve a net-zero-emission electricity sector by 2040.

“If America’s largest city can take this crucial step to ban gas, every city can do the same,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “This is how you defend yourself against climate change at the local level and guarantee a green city for future generations.”

The bill will save around 2.1 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2040 – the equivalent of the annual emissions of 450,000 cars – and save consumers several hundred million dollars in new gas connections, according to a study by the RMI think tank.

Climate activists stand next to a banner outside a rally in City Hall Park to celebrate the passage of a bill to end gas use in new buildings in Manhattan, New York City, the United States, December 15, 2021. REUTERS / Andrew Kelly

ANDREW KELLY | REUTERS

The ban will also minimize the risk of gas explosions and reduce exposure to air pollution, which poses health risks to local residents, especially low-income colored communities who are disproportionately exposed to air pollution.

Similar measures have been discussed across the country. Several dozen cities, including San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose in California; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Seattle, have decided to ban natural gas connections in some new buildings to combat climate change.

However, states like Texas and Arizona have prevented cities from making such changes because consumers have the right to choose their energy sources.

Real estate corporations, the oil and gas sector, and the National Grid – the utility that supplies the city with natural gas – have come out strongly against the bill, arguing that it will spur electricity demand that could lead to winter outages.

Opponents also argue that the legislation will add a higher cost to buildings that use electricity to generate heat compared to those that use natural gas.

“The real estate industry is committed to working with policymakers to develop proven policies that significantly reduce carbon emissions from the built environment,” said James Whelan, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, a trade association serving the city’s real estate sector.

“While we recognize that the efficient electrification of buildings is an important part of achieving these goals, these guidelines must be implemented so that New Yorkers have reliable, affordable, and carbon-free electricity to heat, cool and operate their homes, and” Company, “said Whelan.

“National Grid shares New York’s goal of macroeconomic decarbonization,” said company spokeswoman Karen Young. “We recently announced the progress we are making on our own decarbonization plan to transform our grids to provide smarter, cleaner, more resilient, affordable energy solutions.”

Michael Giaimo, Northeast regional director of the American Petroleum Institute, an oil and gas advocacy group, said the bill had “been pushed through the legislative process without adequate review, analysis or debate.”

“We believe that with additional time and study, the council will better assess the effects of improved electrification and the importance of a diverse energy mix,” said Giaimo. “Hydrogen and renewable natural gas can play a critical role in meeting the city’s emissions reduction goals while maintaining affordability and consumer choice.”

Con Edison, the city’s other major energy company that supplies electricity as well as gas, has spoken out in favor of the law along with a number of sustainable construction companies and energy analysts. Proponents argue that the city’s power grid is well equipped to handle increasing demand for electricity.

Environmental groups celebrated the vote on Wednesday, calling on New York State and the country to follow in its footsteps.

“America’s largest city takes climate change seriously and is proving it today,” said Alex Beauchamp, Northeast director of the Food & Water Watch environmental group.

“With a gas-free NYC, we can achieve better public health outcomes and make real strides in reducing global warming emissions,” said Beauchamp. “Next, New York State and the nation must follow suit.”

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