Hochul Plays Politics and Flip-flops on All Electric Mandate to Appease Voters

New York’s move toward an all-electric future has been abruptly put on hold after Governor Kathy Hochul agreed to delay the rollout of the state’s landmark building-electrification mandate. The reversal undermines her own climate promises on legislation she supported.

The law, passed in 2023 and billed as a cornerstone of the state’s emissions-reduction strategy, was supposed to take effect January 1st. It would have required most newly constructed residential buildings under seven stories to use electric heating and appliances, with larger buildings joining the mandate in 2029. Existing buildings were exempt and carve-outs existed for facilities such as hospitals and restaurants.

But on Wednesday, attorneys for the state informed the court that the law would be suspended while an appeals case proceeds. A coalition of unions and trade groups are challenging the measure after losing an initial ruling in July. Instead of defending the law’s timeline, the Hochul administration agreed to pause implementation until the lawsuit is resolved.

Environmental organizations, already angered by the state's recent approval of the Williams-Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) gas pipeline, condemned Hochul’s decision as another retreat from climate commitments. The pipeline, which will run under New York Harbor, had been rejected multiple times over environmental concerns before being revived.

Eric Weltman of Food & Water Watch blasted the move, warning that, “New Yorkers will pay a terrible price for Hochul's betrayal of our needs and interests: higher energy bills, dirty water, polluted air and a more dangerous climate. Hochul's betrayal further locks New York into a costly reliance on dirty fossil fuels, promoting fracking, while threatening our health, our communities, and our environment.”

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander warned that the state’s decision sends the wrong message about its climate priorities. He said Hochul appears to be signaling that environmental commitments are the first to be sacrificed, calling the decision*“deeply disappointing.”

The governor’s office defended the move as a temporary procedural step. Senior communications advisor Ken Lovett stated that Hochul is still committed to the policy, arguing the pause will “reduce regulatory uncertainty” while the appeal plays out. He said, “The governor remains committed to the all-electric-buildings law and believes this action will help the state defend it... Governor Hochul remains resolved to providing more affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for New Yorkers.”

Still, even members of Hochul’s own party expressed concern that the delay would embolden opponents of New York’s climate goals and slow critical transitions away from fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, Hochul’s political rivals seized on the announcement.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who recently launched a campaign for governor, accused Hochul of election-year maneuvering, stating that the delay is nothing more than “a cynical political 'pause' so she can screw New Yorkers with higher prices after the election.”

Stefanik said New Yorkers have seen this strategy before, comparing the move to Hochul’s pre-election messaging on congestion pricing, declaring she “thinks New Yorkers are stupid and won't notice this desperate political ploy.”

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Hochul Plays Politics and Flip-flops on All Electric Mandate to Appease Voters