New York is facing an affordability crisis, and Albany’s extreme energy mandates are making it worse. Since the passage of the CLCPA in 2019, state leaders have pushed policies that drive up costs, limit consumer choice, and eliminate affordable energy options. The latest example is the All-Electric Building Act.
This law, which was scheduled to take effect soon, forces all new construction to rely solely on electricity and effectively bans natural gas and propane. Recently, Governor Hochul’s administration reluctantly agreed to delay enforcement of this ill-conceived ban until a lawsuit is resolved. If this mandate is such sound policy, why the sudden reversal? This pause only creates more uncertainty for builders, homeowners, and developers.
A delay is not a solution. We have already seen politically timed “pauses” lifted right after Election Day, like the Governor did with congestion pricing. That is why my Senate Republican colleagues and I are calling for a special session to repeal the All-Electric Building Act and make the pause permanent through legislation I sponsor.
This mandate is ideologically driven and economically harmful. New Yorkers already pay electricity rates far above the national average, and construction costs are among the highest in the country. Homebuilders estimate the all-electric requirement will add roughly $20,000 to the price of a new home while placing even more strain on a grid already weakened by the premature closure of reliable power sources like Indian Point.
Developers across the state are halting projects due to soaring costs and grid concerns. Labor jobs are at risk. Families, small landlords, and small businesses will face even higher housing and utility bills if this law proceeds.
Senate Republicans support an “all-of-the-above” approach including green hydrogen, geothermal-thermal networks, sewage heat recovery expansion, carbon capture, nuclear, and retooling our power plants.
The goals of affordability and sustainability are not mutually exclusive, and it is time for New York State to realize that we must work together with experts to find the right solution. As I have continuously stated: we need a realistic plan—not an ideological ban.
It’s time to put New Yorkers before politics and repeal this misguided law before it takes effect.
Senator Mario R. Mattera – 2nd Senate District, Ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee