Hochul postpones gas stove ban in new homes amid voter fury over costs
Hochul is facing heat from both sides of the aisle. Twitter/GovKathyHochul
The law—which includes a highly debated ban on installing gas stoves in newly constructed homes—was scheduled to take effect in January for buildings up to seven stories, with broader implementation set for 2029. But state attorneys recently agreed in a legal filing to postpone enforcement while a court battle over the legislation continues.
The decision drew fire across the political spectrum. Environmental groups accused Hochul of stalling essential climate measures, while Republicans, including gubernatorial candidate and upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik, blasted the move as a political maneuver timed to her 2026 re-election campaign.
“Kathy Hochul is lying to New Yorkers,” Stefanik said in a sharply worded statement, arguing the delay is meant to hide the impact of policies she claims would raise costs and worsen the state’s affordability crisis. She compared the situation to Hochul’s earlier pause of Manhattan congestion pricing—another move she later reversed after the 2024 elections.
“She thinks New Yorkers won’t notice this desperate political ploy,” Stefanik said, calling for a full repeal of the gas-stove provision.
Environmental Advocates NY echoed frustration from the opposite direction. Katherine Nadeau, the group’s deputy executive director of policy and programs, warned that the delay would hinder the state’s climate progress. “Every month we wait puts our future at risk,” she said.
Hochul’s office maintains that the administration is still committed to the all-electric mandate, arguing the pause will help the state defend the law in court and reduce uncertainty for developers. Construction and energy-industry groups—including the New York State Builders Association, the National Association of Home Builders, the New York Propane Gas Association, and unions—are among those challenging the measure.
State attorneys say implementation will remain on hold until a federal appellate court rules.
The setback is the latest in a series of decisions that have slowed the governor’s climate agenda. Earlier this year, Hochul postponed a controversial “cap and invest” initiative that critics warned would sharply increase fuel prices. And last week, she approved a natural-gas pipeline project off New York City’s coast—an initiative supported by President Trump and publicly backed by the White House.
Political analysts say the governor is responding to voters’ heightened concerns about affordability. “Green energy is on the back burner and bringing prices down is on the front burner,” said Democratic pollster Evan Roth Smith, noting that Hochul could face a difficult re-election fight after her unexpectedly narrow victory in 2022.
Business groups also want broader changes. Paul Zuber of the New York State Business Council argued that major climate mandates—including those in the state’s Climate Protection Act—need significant revision due to cost and feasibility concerns.
Hochul is also under pressure to adjust the timeline for electrifying New York’s vehicle fleet. Current rules require 35% of 2026 car sales to be emissions-free, rising to 100% by 2035. Her office says the state built in flexibility to prevent penalties, but critics remain wary.
“We need to pump the brakes,” Zuber said.
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