“There will not be any option for municipalities to opt out.” “The new law will not have any loopholes that will undermine the intent of this measure,” Katy Zielinski said in a statement provided to the New York Times. Her spokeswoman reassured environmental activists earlier this week that the law would not include a loophole allowing localities to exempt themselves from the ban. Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed a ban on natural-gas hookups in new construction during her state-of-the-state address in January. “A first-in-the-nation, unconstitutional ban on natural gas hookups in new construction will drive up utility bills and increase housing costs,” state Senate minority leader Robert Ortt said in a prepared statement. The ban is expected to face serious legal challenges. New York Republicans and industry leaders opposed the natural gas ban, saying that it would raise costs for consumers, stress the electrical grid, and have little environmental benefit. Earlier this year, controversy erupted after reports said the Biden administration’s Consumer Product Safety Commission was considering restrictions, and possibly a ban, on natural-gas stoves. Democrats, who control the state Senate and Assembly, have faced intense pressure from environmental groups, who have taken aim at natural gas to combat climate change and indoor and outdoor air pollution.
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