Elected officials, contractors, developers, and advocates celebrate as NY's All-Electric Buildings Act takes effect
Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Senator Liz Krueger, and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams joined a virtual press event Friday praising energy affordability, job creation, and environmental benefits.
July 25, 2025 — Immediately following the Building Code Council’s vote to include the All-Electric Buildings Act in the latest Building Code update, New York State Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Senator Liz Krueger, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, local building developers and contractors, and environmental and housing advocates gathered to celebrate the implementation of the law and celebrate its economic and environmental benefits for New Yorkers.
The event marked the end of a two-year-long saga following the initial passage of the All Electric Buildings Act back in 2023. Speakers praised the Code Council for its inclusion of the law, which requires all newly constructed single-family and low-rise buildings to be all-electric and all remaining new construction to be fully electric by 2029, with limited exceptions, into its latest code update.
“I sponsored the All-Electric Buildings Act before it passed in the budget in 2023. Then, like now, I was incredibly proud of this legislation and its ability to keep utility costs stable and affordable for ratepayers, while creating 100,000 green new jobs and transitioning New York to a future that’s not dependent on fossil fuel. We know that all-electric buildings are healthier for residents, and electrification is the path to decarbonizing our state. Today’s vote marks the next phase of this chapter, and it’s a huge milestone for New York, which is leading the nation by officially moving to implement this paradigm-shifting law,” said Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, sponsor of the All Electric Buildings Act.
“The science is on our side. The economics of affordability for people with their utility bills are on our side. The job opportunities in a new, green economy that this move will generate will guarantee a whole new generation of people good-paying jobs. The [inclusion of the AEBA in the Building Code update] is one step, one really important step," said Senator Liz Krueger, Senate Finance Chair.
“With the All-Electric Buildings Act now fully integrated into our state’s building code, New York is turning bold climate promises into tangible progress. This is more than reducing emissions; it’s about lowering energy bills, improving indoor air quality, and creating the kind of green jobs our neighbors can rely on. Today, we are proving that sustainability and affordability go hand in hand," said New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez.
“This is a monumental day in the history of affordable housing in New York City. RiseBoro has always been at the forefront of energy efficiency in housing, including the award-winning 63 Stockholm Street project, and we’re excited to get to work to ensure all of our future residents can afford all-electric buildings that offer not just a place to live in, but a home for life,” said Kieran Harrington, CEO of RiseBoro Community Partnership.
“This is a critical moment, over two years in the making, in New York’s journey to ensuring energy affordability and greater comfort for its residents. Fully implementing the All Electric Buildings Act will create good-paying local jobs, lower energy bills, and reduce emissions, making it a win-win-win for households, local businesses, and our climate,” said Michael Hernandez, New York Policy Director for Rewiring America.
“As a contractor installing insulation and high-efficiency and HVAC systems, I'm thrilled to celebrate the All-Electric Homes Act in New York. The technology for affordable heat pumps that work even in the coldest New York conditions is here, and contractors like me are ready to help New Yorkers upgrade their homes. This legislation is a crucial step, setting an important benchmark for new and existing buildings. The array of heat pump solutions available will not only make homes more comfortable in both winter and summer but also healthier all year long,” said Jay Best, owner of Green Team LI and current member and former Vice President of Building Performance Contractors Association of NY.
“Today’s update to the New York State Building Code marks a landmark victory for building decarbonization,” said Nicole Abene, Senior NY Legislative and Regulatory Manager for the Building Decarbonization Coalition. “With this code update, New York becomes the first state to require new buildings to be all electric starting in 2026. We commend Governor Hochul, legislative leaders, NYSERDA, and the Building Code Council for their commitment to turning this vision into reality. This update sends a clear message: a healthier, more sustainable New York is within reach. We celebrate this milestone and remain committed to building on this momentum to advance decarbonization across the country.”
“They said it couldn’t be done and now it’s happening. It’s a moment to celebrate a bit even in an otherwise dark time. New Yorkers will get lower bills, cleaner air, a safer climate and good jobs in clean energy. I’m going to pop open a nice cold beer tonight to say cheers,” said Pete Sikora, Climate Campaigns Director for New York Communities for Change.
“This final step to adopt New York’s nation-leading All-Electric Buildings Act means New Yorkers can look forward to cheaper, cleaner and more comfortable homes for 2026,” said Liz Moran, New York Policy Advocate for Earthjustice. “While the Trump Administration moves at a breakneck speed to raise energy costs for everyday people, these new building codes will save people money, create good jobs, and reduce climate pollution.”
“This is a good day for New Yorkers and for disadvantaged communities that have disproportionately suffered from pollution caused by buildings burning fossil fuels,” said Lonnie J. Portis, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “We were proud to help lead the fight for both New York City’s and New York State’s All Electric Building Acts, and we celebrate today’s implementation as a major step toward environmental and climate justice. This law helps address the nearly 2,000 annual premature deaths linked to building emissions in our state, and it's part of the work needed to correct decades of harmful, inequitable policies.”
Rewiring America is the leading electrification nonprofit, focused on electrifying our homes, communities, and businesses. We develop accessible, actionable data and tools, and build coalitions and partnerships to make going electric easier for households and communities. Rewiring America helps Americans save money, tackle nationwide emissions goals, improve health, and build the next generation of the clean energy workforce. We believe in an abundant, flourishing, climate-safe future, and know that together we can realize one.