Gas Free NY: New York State’s All-Electric Building Act

Did you know that your gas stove produces harmful indoor air pollution, including toxic gases such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, which happen to be the same nasty gases that come out of a car’s exhaust pipe? In fact, studies have found that gas stoves emit so much nitrogen dioxide that by the time you boil water on a gas stove you will have exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s outdoor air quality standards…inside your own home!

This indoor air pollution is harmful to the health of you and your family. For example, studies have found that children living in a home with a gas stove are up to 42 percent more likely to develop asthma. And studies have found that air pollution from these buildings leads to nearly 2,000 premature deaths each year across New York State.

On top of that, buildings burning gas and other fossil fuels produce a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, which are the cause of climate change. In fact, a recent study found that gas stoves leak methane (gas is mostly methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases) even when not in use. And numerous studies also show that both air pollution and climate change disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color, which is why decarbonization – transitioning away from the use of fossil fuels – is critical to advance environmental justice.

That is why we are building off of our successful Gas Free NYC law here in New York City and supporting New York State’s All-Electric Building Act (S.6843A/A.8431), which will ensure that new buildings will be all-electric – without the use of gas or other fossil fuels – beginning in 2024.