<p>New York has become the first US state to pass a law banning gas stoves and other fossil fuels in most new buildings, in a victory for environmental activists.</p>.<p>The legislation adopted by lawmakers in the Democratic-run state legislature late Tuesday will require newly built homes to be all-electric in three years' time.</p>.<p>The move aims to tackle climate change by reducing New York's dependence on natural gas.</p>.<p>"Changing the ways we make and use energy to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels will help ensure a healthier environment for us and our children," said state assembly speaker Carl Heastie.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/alligator-captured-in-new-york-park-possibly-cold-shocked-1193363.html" target="_blank">Alligator captured in New York park, possibly 'cold shocked'</a></strong></p>.<p>The law, which could face legal challenges from the gas industry, will require solely electric heating and cooking in new buildings under seven stories from 2026.</p>.<p>For taller skyscrapers, the deadline is 2029.</p>.<p>Hospitals, critical infrastructure such as transportation, and commercial food establishments will be exempt.</p>.<p>The law will also not apply to buildings where the local grid is not capable of handling the load.</p>.<p>Existing buildings are also not affected by the legislation, meaning residents can keep gas stoves they already have.</p>.<p>The appliances became an unlikely flashpoint in America's bitterly partisan politics earlier this year when a federal official suggested the government might ban new gas stoves over concerns they cause harmful air pollution indoors.</p>.<p>Representatives from the fossil fuel industry and Republican allies slammed the comments by Richard Trumka Jr, a member of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the White House was forced to clarify that stoves would not be banned.</p>.<p>According to the US Energy Department, 52 percent of households in New York state use natural gas for heating or cooking.</p>.<p>New York's measure was included in a $229 billion budget that local lawmakers approved for the state.</p>.<p>The budget also authorizes the New York Power Authority, the state-owned public utility provider, to build and operate renewable energy facilities.</p>.<p>That move is to help New York meet its goal of reducing emissions by 85 percent by 2050.</p>
<p>New York has become the first US state to pass a law banning gas stoves and other fossil fuels in most new buildings, in a victory for environmental activists.</p>.<p>The legislation adopted by lawmakers in the Democratic-run state legislature late Tuesday will require newly built homes to be all-electric in three years' time.</p>.<p>The move aims to tackle climate change by reducing New York's dependence on natural gas.</p>.<p>"Changing the ways we make and use energy to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels will help ensure a healthier environment for us and our children," said state assembly speaker Carl Heastie.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/alligator-captured-in-new-york-park-possibly-cold-shocked-1193363.html" target="_blank">Alligator captured in New York park, possibly 'cold shocked'</a></strong></p>.<p>The law, which could face legal challenges from the gas industry, will require solely electric heating and cooking in new buildings under seven stories from 2026.</p>.<p>For taller skyscrapers, the deadline is 2029.</p>.<p>Hospitals, critical infrastructure such as transportation, and commercial food establishments will be exempt.</p>.<p>The law will also not apply to buildings where the local grid is not capable of handling the load.</p>.<p>Existing buildings are also not affected by the legislation, meaning residents can keep gas stoves they already have.</p>.<p>The appliances became an unlikely flashpoint in America's bitterly partisan politics earlier this year when a federal official suggested the government might ban new gas stoves over concerns they cause harmful air pollution indoors.</p>.<p>Representatives from the fossil fuel industry and Republican allies slammed the comments by Richard Trumka Jr, a member of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the White House was forced to clarify that stoves would not be banned.</p>.<p>According to the US Energy Department, 52 percent of households in New York state use natural gas for heating or cooking.</p>.<p>New York's measure was included in a $229 billion budget that local lawmakers approved for the state.</p>.<p>The budget also authorizes the New York Power Authority, the state-owned public utility provider, to build and operate renewable energy facilities.</p>.<p>That move is to help New York meet its goal of reducing emissions by 85 percent by 2050.</p>