New York City Council Passes Bill to Ban Gas in New Construction

Victory

Earthjustice joins partners in celebrating the historic legislation

Contacts

Nydia Gutiérrez, Earthjustice

Today, New York City, the largest city in the nation, passed legislation that will prohibit gas and other fossil fuels from being used in new buildings starting in 2024. Buildings make up 70% of New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions. New York City joins over fifty municipalities in the country to adopt a prohibition of this nature and is one of the first in the Northeast to do so.

The following statement can be attributed to Hillary Aidun, associate attorney for Earthjustice:

“New York City is setting the stage on climate action for the rest of the country by passing this critical legislation to prevent the use of fossil fuels in new buildings. Fossil fuel use in buildings not only contributes to the climate crisis, but is also a major source of air pollution, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color. Earthjustice applauds City Councilmember Alicka Ampry-Samuel and the tireless community advocates that did not rest until this legislation was passed. Today’s move is a marker that fossil fuels are a thing of the past.”

Hillary Aidun testified before the New York City Council on November 17, 2021. 

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Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.