This December 15, 2021, the New York City Council voted a law prohibiting the connection to natural gas for the majority of new constructions, which will come into force in 2023 for small buildings, and 2027 for large ones. This is a first in the United States.
New York bans natural gas in new buildings from 2023 and 2027
Buildings now represent 70% of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City, in the United States. The city, launched in a greening of its electricity (objectives: 70% of renewable energies in the mix in 2030, carbon neutrality in 2040), has decided to target the residential sector to accelerate its energy transition.
On December 15, 2021, the New York City Council therefore adopted a new law, which will prohibit the use of natural gas or fuel oil in new buildings constructed in the city. The measure will come into force from 2023 for buildings of less than 7 floors; taller buildings will have to wait until 2027.
The law has yet to be signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio, a mere formality since he defends it. Old buildings, on the other hand, are not affected by the measure, which also makes an exception for hospitals, commercial kitchens and laundromats, which will be able to continue to use natural gas.
“If America’s largest city can take this critical step to ban the use of gas, any city can do the same. This is how we fight against climate change at the local level and we guarantee a green city for generations to come ”, welcomed Bill de Blasio in a press release.
2.1 million CO2 emissions avoided by 2040
The RMI think tank estimates that the measure should prevent the emission of 2.1 million tonnes of CO2 by 2040, and could lead, on construction projects, to overall savings of several hundred thousand dollars. dollars, avoiding connection work to the natural gas network.
This law will also reduce indoor air pollution in the poorest neighborhoods, as well as the risk of explosion, even if, for these risks, old unsanitary buildings are more concerned than new ones.
Several other American cities have decided to ban the connection to natural gas of certain types of new buildings for climatic reasons, such as San Francisco, Berkeley et San Jose (Californie), Cambridge (Massachusetts) ou Seattle (Washington). A l’inverse, and Texas or Arizona have passed laws prohibiting cities from doing this. Conservationists hope to extend this measure to the whole of New York State then, ultimately, at the federal level.
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