A U.S. Court of Appeals panel has affirmed New York’s ban on natural‑gas hookups in new residential buildings, upholding the lower court’s decision.
The ruling concerns a provision of the state’s All‑Electric Buildings Act, which prohibits gas connections in newly constructed structures of seven stories or fewer and imposes additional energy‑efficiency requirements.
Industry groups representing natural‑gas interests sued, arguing that the state measure conflicts with the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 and would increase costs for developers and consumers.
The appellate court rejected that argument, finding that federal law does not preempt New York’s regulations and dismissing the lawsuit.
Earlier this year, New York’s Senate leader publicly dismissed rumors of a gas‑stove ban, describing such claims as unfounded.
The decision positions New York to potentially become the first state to enforce a comprehensive ban on gas hookups in new construction, signaling a significant shift in building‑energy policy.
