Ortt, Republicans in State Senate seek repeal of all-electric building mandate

Press Release, State Senate Republican Conference

In light of your Administration’s agreement to delay implementation of the All-Electric Buildings Act and to protect all New Yorkers from skyrocketing energy bills, the New York State Senate Republican Conference is demanding that Governor Kathy Hochul convene a special legislative session before the end of the year to repeal the all-electric building mandate set to take effect January 1st.

This ideological and unfunded mandate, which has repeatedly been proven to be unreachable, will increase costs for families and businesses and cost many hardworking men and women of labor their careers if allowed to be hastily put into effect.

“Governor Hochul’s socialist energy policy has increased costs, strained the grid and removed consumer choice,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “We must repeal the unrealistic and unaffordable mandates of the Democrats Green New Scam. Our Conference supports a diverse energy portfolio that ensures affordable options for all New Yorkers.”

In a sign-on letter delivered to the Governor on Monday, the Conference warned that the mandate, which is a component of the ill-conceived Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), will worsen New York’s housing, energy, and affordability crises while placing additional strain on an already unstable electric grid.

Lawmakers noted that passage of S.1167, which is sponsored by the Ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee Mario R. Mattera (2nd Senate District), at a special session is the best path forward to protect state residents.  The legislation is sponsored in the New York State Assembly by Assemblyman Michael Durso (A.6252).

They jointly cautioned that proposals from some Assembly Democrats to “pause” the mandate appear to be political maneuvers designed to delay consequences until after the 2026 elections, similar to prior election-year delays on congestion pricing.

“Since 2019, we have been warning the administration that the State’s reckless push toward an all-electric future would drive up energy bills and jeopardize grid reliability,” the letter states. “NYISO’s latest report confirms those fears.”

According to the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the grid is already under significant stress, and large-scale electrification without new generating capacity threatens system stability. Homebuilders across the state also project the mandate will add approximately $20,000 to the cost of constructing a new home—on top of New York’s already high building expenses.

Construction costs in New York range from $200 to $350 per square foot, far above the national average of $162, with New York City approaching $500 per square foot. Residential electricity rates in New York are already 51% higher than the national average, and lawmakers warned that mandating all-electric homes will push those rates even higher.

“The all-electric building mandate will only worsen New York’s housing, energy, and affordability crises,” the Conference wrote. “For these reasons, we strongly urge you to call a special session before the end of the year to repeal this disastrous policy and protect New Yorkers from further economic and energy hardship.”