Gov. Hochul Delays All Electric Building Law, Telling New Yorkers: "PAY MORE!"

ALBANY, NY (11/13/2025) (readMedia)-- Yesterday, Governor Hochul delayed the All-Electric Buildings Law through a stipulation filed with an Albany District Court. This morning, elected officials including NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and All-Electric Buildings Law sponsor Assembly Member Emily Gallagher joined with advocates and building experts at a press conference to respond to this decision.

Watch the press conference here.

This decision isn't by coincidence: Governor Hochul has previously said that she's considering delaying the law despite the fact that it will save families money. This new development comes less than a week after she approved the Trump-backed NESE gas pipeline and gave the greenlight for cryptominers to keep polluting the air for cheap - completely backpedaling on the state's Climate Law a court recently ordered her to follow. In October, TIME Magazine named the Governor as one of its 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders of 2025, but in the past week alone she has walked back most of the climate progress she's made as governor.

For New York City-based residents and developers, companion all-electric legislation Local Laws 154 and 97 already exist. About 94 percent of properties are already complying with the law and taking steps to electrify, which will dramatically slash pollution from the 23,000 buildings contributing more than two-thirds of the city's greenhouse emissions.

"I am disgusted to learn about Governor Hochul's indefinite delay of the All-Electric Buildings Act. It is enraging, but not surprising, given this Governor reversed course on a toxic gas pipeline, cryptocurrency mining, and now, the All-Electric Buildings Act-in the last week alone. Study after study has shown that all-electric new buildings will dramatically reduce utility costs, improve health outcomes, and help New York reach our ambitious, but urgent, climate goals. Instead, Governor Hochul is rapidly becoming the most anti-climate leader this state has seen in decades. I urge her to do the right thing and reverse this decision immediately," said Assembly Member Emily Gallagher.

"Governor Hochul is sabotaging the State's climate progress and worsening the fact that New Yorkers' cannot afford their energy bills. Her decision to delay the All-Electric Building Law will undoubtedly ensure that energy costs remain sky high. This law would have saved families an average of $1,000 a year, and the data shows that all-electric buildings are actually cheaper to build AND live in. This delay is a victory for corporate polluters and a blow to working New Yorkers whose environments continue to be polluted and whose bills continue to rise," said State Senator Julia Salazar.

"After following the science and signing the All-Electric Buildings Law to save families money and fight climate change, Governor Hochul is taking a machete to state law. In record timing, she's dashed all her progress on New York's climate and energy affordability goals to side with the fossil fuel industry and corporate executives bent on polluting our air and water and hiking up our energy bills. While families struggle to make ends meet, the Governor's trading our futures for greedy billionaires. New Yorkers deserve better," said Lisa Marshall, Director of Advocacy and Organizing, New Yorkers for Clean Power.

"Delaying the All-Electric Buildings Act after approving a new fracked gas pipeline and power plant - despite clear precedent that they violate our law - is not leadership in a democracy. New Yorkers deserve leaders who enforce our climate laws, support community health and affordability - not turning our state into a fossil fuel industry casino," said Kim Fraczek, Director, Sane Energy Project.

"Let's be clear. The All-Electric Buildings Law will save ratepayers money and will help our state meet its climate goals," said Pat Almonrode, representing Third Act NYC and Third Act Upstate NY. "The governor was not ordered to pause implementation of the law – she chose to do so. This betrayal is of a piece with the governor's recent approval of the disastrous Williams-NESE pipeline and of the continued operation of a gas plant on Seneca Lake to power a crypto-mining operation. These moves support the continuation of fracking; they lock New York into dependence on polluting fossil fuels; and they will ultimately cost New Yorkers millions if not billions of dollars. This cannot stand."

"No governor is above the law, and New Yorkers are ready to benefit from the All-Electric Building Law which will make new buildings safer and healthier, energy more affordable and efficient, and help New York lead the world out of the climate crisis. The Sierra Club is prepared to fight to ensure this happens," said Gabriel Recchio, Building Electrification Campaign Organizer, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter.

"Governor Hochul's decision to delay the All-Electric Buildings Act hands another victory to corporate polluters at the expense of New Yorkers' health and wallets," said Eric Weltman, New York Senior Organizer at Food & Water Watch. "Instead of standing up for clean air, lower bills, and climate justice, the administration is retreating in the face of industry pressure. New Yorkers deserve a governor who will enforce the laws we fought for - not delay them behind closed doors."

"We're outraged at Governor Hochul's decision to indefinitely delay All-Electric Buildings. All-Electric Buildings is not optional, it is law. Governor Hochul's decision is part of a disturbing trend, she recently approved the Trump-backed NESE fracked gas pipeline downstate through Staten Island and allowed an air permit for a fossil fuel plant that powers crypto mining upstate on the shore of Seneca Lake. All of these decisions are an example of Hochul blatantly ignoring the NY's CLCPA Climate Act. No kings, no queens, this is a democracy. Follow the law and follow the science. Don't let corporate fossil fuel polluter propaganda and profits win," said Daniel Atonna, Political Coordinator, For the Many.

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. Hundreds of all-electric buildings are already in operation throughout the state including affordable housing, luxury housing, mixed use buildings, a conference center, hotels, restaurants, airport terminals and more. The technology is proven and ready.

Delaying the All Electric Building Law undermines Governor Hochul's 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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