NPR.ORG “The largest city in the U.S. bans natural gas in new buildings” by Deepa Shivaram December 15, 2021
See NPR.ORG for all the details
Summary by 2244
Image from greentechmedia.com With respect to greenhouse gas emissions, according to this report by greentechmedia.com natural gas use represents, depending on the scenario or low-methane or high-methane, 81%-87% of sector emissions and methane-leakage may account for 18%-44% of buildings-sector climate impacts.
“In a vote Wednesday, New York’s city council approved a ban on natural gas in newly constructed buildings, joining cities like San Jose and San Francisco…[and] 42 cities in California…and Salt Lake City and Denver have also made plans to move toward electrification.” Ithaca, New York has “committed to ending the use of natural gas in all buildings-not just new ones.
Using electricity instead of natural gas will reduce carbon emissions from buildings which account for nearly “40% of carbon emissions in the country.”
Council member, Alicka Ampry-Samuel commented “‘We are at a point in our lifetimes that we need to act. We need to make sure we are protecting and saving our environment.”
This measure has some restrictions and mostly takes effect in 2024. NYC will be evaluating how this change will impact the electrical grid.
There’s a sense that statewide legislation may follow in New York state.