New York Governor Kathy Hochul has postponed the enforcement of the All-Electric Buildings Act, a law set to ban natural-gas appliances—including stoves—in new buildings under seven stories. The original start date was January 1, 2026, but the rollout has been paused while the law faces legal challenges from trade and construction groups.
The GOP and other critics accused Hochul of backing off ahead of her reelection campaign, arguing the move is politically motivated. Environmental advocates, meanwhile, slammed the delay as a setback for the state’s climate goals and warned it prolongs reliance on fossil fuels.
Hochul’s office responded by stating that the delay is temporary and intended to reduce uncertainty for developers while litigation plays out. They maintain the law remains a priority, even as they face pressure from both sides of the aisle.
The case now heads to the federal appeals court while stakeholders await clarity on when and how the regulation will proceed.