Advocates Correct the Record on All-Electric Buildings Opposition, Urge Gov. Hochul Not to Delay

ALBANY, NY (11/12/2025) (readMedia)-- Just weeks before the All-Electric Buildings Law (AEBL) goes into effect on January 1, 2026, Governor Hochul is reportedly considering caving to pressure from fossil fuel executives and corporate real estate by stalling the law's implementation. Signed in 2023, the AEBL will equip all new single-family and low-rise buildings with energy efficient heat pumps instead of gas and oil heating.

Recently, 19 Assembly members signed a letter containing misinformation and urging the Governor to delay the AEBL, a move that would effectively circumvent the democratic process and unilaterally pause state law. But today, nonprofit thinktank Switchbox released a new report dashing the lawmakers' claims with proof that New York State's energy grid actually has ample capacity to handle new all-electric buildings. A previous report found that all-electric new buildings are more affordable to live in than fossil fueled new buildings.

AGREE Executive Director Jessica Azulay and Earthjustice NY Policy Advocate Liz Moran issued the following joint statement in response:

"In our democracy, the executive cannot simply undo the law without the legislature. Governor Hochul and the legislature, including many of the lawmakers on this letter, rightfully supported the All-Electric Buildings Law more than two years ago because it's a win-win that will save families money and fight climate change. That is still true. There's no good reason to delay this law, and we look forward to working with the Governor and legislature to ensure New York constructs new buildings without fossil fuels."

In efforts to influence the Governor and other lawmakers, corporate interests like National Fuel Gas are funding targeted misinformation campaigns. But research shows that under the AEBL families statewide would save thousands on their energy bills each year.

BACKGROUND

Passed in 2023, the All-Electric Buildings Law (AEBL) requires newly constructed single-family and low-rise buildings to be all-electric by 2026 with appliances like energy efficient heat pumps for heating, cooling, and hot water, and all remaining new construction to be fully-electric by 2029.

Despite signing the law, Governor Hochul has stated that she is considering delaying its Jan 1st start date, further undermining her energy affordability agenda and New York's landmark Climate Law. Under the AEBL, families living in new all-electric homes could save an estimated $1,080 per year, on average, compared to homes fueled by gas and oil, according to a report from Switchbox. In rural parts of the state with no gas distribution network where homes instead burn oil, new homes equipped with heat pumps could save an average of $2,650 per year. Switchbox's newest report confirms that New York State's energy grid has more than enough capacity to handle new all-electric buildings.

Research shows that getting off fossil fuels and going all electric over the next 30 years is a net-positive jobs creator, creating more than 200,000 new jobs in the buildings sector. And it's better for our health: burning gas in our homes is highly polluting and causes severe respiratory illness. Data shows that 19 percent of childhood asthma in New York can be attributed to gas stoves, and low income and public housing residents who often live in small and poorly ventilated dwellings bear a disproportionate burden of the impacts.

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