New York targets 2 million climate-friendly homes by 2030

The New York state government has announced a plan to have 2 million climate-friendly, electrified or electrification-ready homes by 2030.

During her 2022 State of the State address, governor Kathy Hochul said up to 1 million homes will be electrified and another 1 million will need to be ready for electrification by 2030.

To achieve the target, Hochul has proposed the enactment of a regulation that mandates all new building construction achieve zero emissions by 2027.

The regulation, if enacted, will enable some 800,000 homes for low-to-medium income residents to be equipped with clean energy resources and technologies.

With New York buildings accounting for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, the introduction of new buildings and appliance efficiency standards and increasing investments in energy efficiency programmes will help reduce emissions whilst saving both consumers and utility firms billions in energy costs, according to the statement.

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Hochul said: “To make real progress on climate change, it’s time to tackle major sources of pollution head-on, ensure greener housing is available to all New Yorkers, and pave the way toward a more sustainable future.

“This transformative investment in green infrastructure will cement New York’s status at the forefront of climate action and ensure equity in our transition to a cleaner, greener state.”  

Other measures planned to ensure the target is met include:

• Raise the current rate of electrification of approximately 20,000 homes per year more than tenfold by the end of the decade,
• Provide the training programmes necessary to ensure that New York has a skilled workforce to deliver these services, 
• Introduce legislation to level the playing field for clean energy alternatives and end the obligation to serve customers with natural gas that currently exists in state law, tailored to maintain affordability for New York’s most vulnerable customers, and 
• Establish a green electrification fund and electrify low-income homes through HCR’s new $25 billion, five-year housing capital plan.