Electric Mandate Delay Is An Encouraging First Step Toward Common Sense

  The state’s decision to suspend the implementation of the All-Electric Buildings Act is a major victory for families and businesses across the state. The measure would ban all new homes of seven stories or less from using natural gas and fossil-fuel-based equipment. It is unfortunate it took this long, but it is a relief to see the voices of utility customers, builders, business owners and cost-minded officials have finally been heard.

The federal lawsuit that led to this delay raised many important points about the shortcomings of the legislation. Among those concerns are its hefty price tag and the legitimate fear that creating more hurdles for homebuyers would only damage the state’s already fragile economy.

It is also important to consider this fight is far from over. While a delay is great—the law was set to take effect on Jan. 1—there is still a very real possibility it will eventually be implemented. Remember what we saw in 2024 with congestion pricing? When faced with the controversial implementation of a tax on drivers entering lower Manhattan, Gov. Hochul first paused the program in June, citing cost concerns. But she reversed that decision less than six months later, reinstating the commuter tax safely after Election Day.

While the All-Electric Buildings delay is a pleasant surprise, the major benchmarks of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the blueprint for the state’s energy plans, remain intact, and there are still many other costly environmental policies coming down the pipeline. For example, demanding all school buses in New York must be zero-emission by 2035 could cost as much as $15.25 billion, according to estimates. That is simply unacceptable, and we must continue to advocate for consumer choice, common sense and cost effectiveness if we are to save our energy grid.

The Assembly Minority Conference has consistently called for reasonable, cost-effective energy policies. The mandates imposed on New Yorkers by the CLCPA, which impact everything from housing to transportation, land use and more, have been unworkable from the moment the bill was passed. Now that we have made critical progress in putting one of the most burdensome elements of the state’s energy plan on hold, we must continue to let the green energy-obsessed zealots pushing these polices know more must still be done.

It is unfathomable to demand so much from residents who are facing unprecedented taxes and outrageous utility costs. We don’t need to add to the reasons New Yorkers are fleeing. I hope the overwhelming celebration of this delay by residents, developers, businesses and local lawmakers sends a clear message to the Albany Democrats responsible for this legislation: We need a better, more balanced approach to our energy needs. This is a start, but this fight is certainly not over.

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at [email protected]. You may also find me, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, on Facebook or X at @WillABarclay.