Electrify New York’s buildings to protect the planet

Jasmine Graham and Sonal Jessel wrote an op-ed for the NY Daily News:

Crafting and passing laws is one of the most important actions a state legislator can take. But that is easily undermined if they fail to secure the budget needed to fully implement and enforce that law. That’s why shaping our state budget — which funds our schools, health care and climate priorities and a long list of vital other public services — is such a critical part of their job.

Since Gov. Hochul published her proposed budget in January, the Senate and the Assembly have debated for weeks about what to include in the state’s final fiscal framework. During her recent State of the State Address, Hochul committed to support the creation of 2 million electrified or electrification-ready homes by 2030, with 800,000 being allocated for low-to-moderate-income households.

However, these commitments only underscore the need for bigger and bolder action to meet the state’s climate goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Legislation that would get us closer to these goals includes the All-Electric Buildings Act, which aims to replicate NYC’s legislative success and apply it for the entire state and the Gas Transition and Affordable Energy Act, which eliminates subsidies for gas utilities, reducing energy costs; and the $15 billion needed to implement the CLCPA, providing every New Yorker with programs to transition to renewable energy.

New York’s more than 1 million buildings emit more pollution than any other state and according to state climate officials carbon emissions from buildings and homes are now the single largest source of emissions statewide. Building electrification is a practical solution, by eliminating the source of the problem and making heating and cooling affordable and accessible, and supported by state-sponsored funding opportunities.

In December, New York City became the nation’s largest city to enact legislation to end the use of gas heat and stoves in new buildings, joining more than 50 other jurisdictions nationwide. Local Law 154 is a significant first step in decarbonizing New York City’s building sector, which will reduce air pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions. However, up until now, no state in the country has yet to commit to decarbonize all its new buildings and homes.

We understand that, in our current system, even if we electrify every building, some of our energy will still be powered by fossil fuels. However, with the rapid onboarding of renewable energy sources, soon New York will be able to rid its dependence on fossil fuels that we know to harm our collective public health. Decarbonizing the grid and the infrastructure that depends on it, starting with buildings and homes this session, will be the single most impactful step the state could take on its broader climate and emission goals.

Low-income and Black and Brown households suffer disproportionately from indoor and outdoor air pollution, living in ill-equipped homes with poor ventilation, inadequate insulation, and higher risks of leaks and explosions. By pushing out fossil fuels, we open the door to an equitable transition to replace these appliances with safer, more reliable alternatives.

Air pollution contributes to the early deaths of thousands of New Yorkers. Gas stoves have been linked to cardiovascular illnesses, higher rates of asthma in children, and more recent research suggests they are leaking methane into homes even when turned off.

Working to decarbonize buildings and homes would create thousands of high quality jobs in New York. According to a recent study released by Rewiring America, the United States can create 25 million jobs by substantially transitioning from fossil fuels in the building and industrial sectors by 2035, using only existing technologies.

The push to usher in a new era of cleaner, healthier, all-electric new homes and buildings is gaining momentum. There are only a few weeks before the state budget is negotiated and a few months before the legislative session ends and these bills represent the best chance for all New Yorkers to have access to cleaner, healthier and safer buildings and affordable utility bills.

Our elected officials have voiced their commitment to a just transition to renewable energy. Now is the time — and the state budget is the place — for them to put their money where their mouth is.

Jessel is policy director and Graham is the energy justice policy manager of WE ACT for Environmental Justice.