New York lawmakers want to speed up electric buildings construction

Lawmakers in the state Senate want a ban on fossil fuels in new building construction to go into effect three years earlier than proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

The provision in the Democratic-led state Senate's proposed budget is part of a broader effort to transition the state to more renewable forms of energy in the coming decades, legislation that is expected to drive major changes in transportation, construction and consumer products.

All-electric buildings are considered a key component to the cleaner energy switch. As part of the proposal, lawmakers want to impose a statewide prohibition on fossil fuels in new construction to begin by 2024 for buildings under seven stories.