State lawmakers are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to convene a special legislative session before year’s end to repeal New York’s all-electric building mandate, scheduled to take effect January 1. The push follows the Hochul administration’s recent agreement to delay implementation amid mounting concerns over affordability and grid capacity.
Republican legislators argue that the mandate—part of the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act—would raise construction costs, strain an already stressed electric grid, and worsen the state’s housing shortage. They warn that simply pausing the policy could set up a post-election reinstatement similar to the delayed rollout of congestion pricing.
Supporters of a repeal are rallying behind a bill sponsored by Long Island Sen. Mario Mattera, the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. The measure, paired with Assemblyman Michael Durso’s companion bill, would reverse the requirement that most new buildings rely solely on electric systems.
In a letter delivered to the governor, lawmakers said the mandate remains unrealistic without major upgrades to New York’s energy infrastructure. They pointed to recent findings by the New York Independent System Operator showing that electrification without additional power generation could threaten grid reliability. Homebuilders, meanwhile, estimate the mandate could add about $20,000 to the cost of constructing a new home—on top of some of the highest per-square-foot building costs in the country.
Sen. Mattera said residents cannot afford another costly state directive. “New Yorkers are already being crushed by the cost of living, and this all-electric mandate is nothing more than another burden created by Albany Democrats that our families simply cannot afford,” he said. “Our grid is not ready, our communities are not prepared, and our residents cannot shoulder another reckless policy pushed through without real-world consideration.”
Mattera urged the governor to fully repeal the mandate rather than delay it. He warned that postponement alone would leave homeowners, builders and ratepayers uncertain heading into 2026, adding that lawmakers “will not stand by” if the mandate is revived after the next election.
Lawmakers say a special session is the only way to provide clarity and protect residents from further cost increases tied to the transition.