A federal appliance efficiency statute does not prevent New York from amending state law to bar new gas hookups in certain buildings, a court ruled Wednesday.
Judge Glenn Suddaby of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York found the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) does not preempt the state from changing its building and energy codes to block new gas infrastructure.
The decision is giving renewed hope to clean energy advocates pushing to expand building electrification and reduce reliance on gas.
The ruling is the second this year to back New York officials’ efforts to prevent new gas infrastructure. It contrasts with a 2023 appellate court decision on the other side of the country — often cited by the gas industry — which found the Berkeley, California, ban on new gas hookups violated EPCA.
