New York senate moves to speed up fossil fuel ban in new buildings

Lawmakers in the New York State Senate are backing a proposal to ban fossil fuels in new building construction three years sooner than a plan proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
 
A provision in the Democratic-led state Senate’s proposed budget would impose a statewide prohibition on fossil fuels in new construction by 2024 for buildings under seven stories. Hochul’s proposed ban would begin in 2027.
 
The dueling plans are part of a broader effort to move the state to more renewable forms of energy in the coming decades. The final budget agreement is expected to be reached by the end of March.
 
Environmental advocates are urging a fossil fuel ban be put into effect as soon as possible.