Push-pull over gas appliance bans intensifies

Nationwide, there’s an ongoing push-pull over the banning of natural gas appliances, including HVAC equipment, in newly constructed homes. 

What’s happening: New York in July passed a law requiring all-electric appliances in most new construction, beginning January 1, 2026. But following a letter from 19 state assembly members last week, raising affordability concerns, Gov. Kathy Hochul indicated that she might seek to delay the law’s implementation.

Zoom out: Across the U.S., cities and states are facing a similar back-and-forth.

• Voters in Washington State, for instance, in November 2024 approved an initiative to block local governments from restricting the use of natural gas; however, in March 2025, a judge invalidated the measure, with the final say now in the hands of the state’s Supreme Court. 
• Meanwhile, Massachusetts lawmakers are considering doubling the number of cities and towns allowed to ban fossil fuels in new construction, while local governments in California and Colorado have eyed similar bans.

State of play: Underlying the noise, over half of U.S. states have “some type” of preemption laws aimed at preventing natural gas bans, according to the National Association of Home Builders. 

Between the lines: Various efforts to wean the country off fossil fuels persist; however, electricity costs are on the rise, as data centers and increasingly electrified homes compete for available power. 

• Industry groups lobbying lawmakers emphasize affordability concerns, while proponents of electrification argue that such fossil-fuel interests are solely about protecting profits — and that governments must act now to minimize the threats from climate change. 

The big picture: The back-and-forth is exemplified at the federal level, as many of the Biden administration’s climate efforts, including expanding a pair of HVAC-focused tax credits, have been reversed by the Trump administration. 

What we’re watching: A federal bill — the Energy Choice Act, introduced in June — would ultimately prohibit state and local governments across the U.S. from imposing such gas bans, and is gaining steam, as Homepros recently reported. Go deeper