This story initially It emerged Grist and a part Climate table partnership.
Cities that want to eliminate fossil fuels in buildings, a stable court victory noted. Last week, a federal judge rejected a case In new buildings, it was brought by the sanitary installation and building trade groups against the natural gas ban of New York city. The decision is the first decision that does not explicitly participate in the previous decision. Berkeley, California’s first gas ban in the nation. This order given by the 9th US appeal court in 2023 and It was re -approval again last yearHe encouraged cities throughout the country to withdraw or delay the laws that were modeled after the Berkeley regulation.
While the law of New York has a different function than Berkeley, law experts say that the decision of this month gradually provides strong legal foundations for all kinds of local policy in buildings and can encourage cities to take an ambitious action once again.
“A clear win on this issue, because the 9th circuit decision had a really creepy effect on local governments,” Columbia University Sabin University Sabin Climate Law Center said. “Now there is something else to be pointed out, and there is a good hope for local governments that may have close back to bring building electrification plans back to the forefront.”
New York City accepted in 2021 Local Law 154This sets an air emission limit for the interior of fuels in new buildings. In accordance with the law, it is forbidden to burn any substance that emit 25 kilograms or more carbon dioxide per million British thermal energy units ”. This standard effectively prohibits gas burning stoves, ovens and kettle and other fossil fuel devices. Instead, real estate developers must establish electrical tools such as induction stoves and heat pumps. Policy came into force In 2024 It will be applied for buildings under seven stories and to tall buildings from 2027 onwards.
On the other hand, the Berkeley law banned the establishment of gas pipes in the new construction. The first example of its species was adopted in 2019 and inspired approximately one hundred local governments throughout the country to submit similar laws. However, the regulation encountered a lawsuit that argues that gas stoves were necessary for the food service industry by the California Restaurant Association. In April 2023, the 9th Circuit Court decided in favor of the restaurant industry, enabling Federal Energy Efficiency Standards prevented Berkeley’s policy. A petition in January 2024 To rehearse the case in the 9th circuit by the city of Berkeley rejected.
