The New York City Council on Wednesday voted to pass legislation banning the use of natural gas in most new construction, a move that will substantially slash climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions from the country’s most populous city, NBC reported.
The bill now goes to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s desk for signature. Once signed, the measure will go into effect at the end of 2023 for some buildings under seven stories, and in 2027 for taller buildings. Hospitals, commercial kitchens and laundromats are exempt from the ban.
Under the law, construction projects submitted for approval after 2027 must use sources like electricity for stoves, space heaters and water boilers instead of gas or oil. Residents who currently have gas stoves and heaters in their homes will not be impacted unless they relocate to a new building.
“If the largest city in America can take this critical step to ban gas use, any city can do the same,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “This is how to fight back against climate change on the local level and guarantee a green city for generations to come.”
The bill will cut about 2.1 million tons of carbon emissions by 2040 — equivalent to the annual emissions of 450,000 cars — and save consumers several hundred million dollars in new gas connections, according to a study by the think tank RMI.
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How do you make electricity? Solar! Wind! Nuclear! Energy shortages here we come
That one, at least, is reliable, unlike solar and wind. Unfortunately, New York City shut down its last nuclear plant (Indian Point) several years back.
Remember, though, the nomenklatura will always have their power somehow or other. You, the peasant, perhaps not so much. But you’ll like it (or else)!
Indian Point already had a spill (which, apparently, was not major B”H) and anything that happens there can affect everything within a 60 mile radius which includes NYC which is only 25 miles away.
Nuclear can be made completely safe and is the best choice we have at reducing carbon emissions
Because, you know, electricity doesn’t produce emissions. Why, it’s created magically!
Electricity only? When the city already has blackouts every time the weather rises? Those pricey apartments better come with a closet full of blankets and a fireplace to burn wood.