Buffalo, NY (WBEN) It's becoming a given that the New York State budget may not be passed on time, but an Albany political analyst tells WBEN a proposed ban on some gas appliances will be part of the budget, though there's not much new to report on what is in it.
Jack O'Donnell of O'Donnell & Associates says he hasn't heard an update as of late on the gas ban proposals. But he does say it will be in the state budget and that the devil is in the details.
"How soon? Who do they apply to? We did ... see signaling from the Senate and the Assembly from their so called one house budgets, about exempting single family homes, and not banning the replacement of gas appliances with inside houses and buildings," says O'Donnell on the proposal. The proposal calls for a ban on the installation of natural gas equipment in new construction on smaller residential homes after Dec. 31, 2025 and commercial and larger residential buildings after Dec. 31, 2028. It also calls for a ban on the sale of natural gas furnaces and water heaters for existing homes after Jan. 1, 2030 and for existing commercial and larger residential buildings after Jan. 1, 2035.
O'Donnell says he's not surprised to hear that energy provider National Fuel has urged customers to write lawmakers urging them to reject the proposals. "That's their business, so I'm not surprised they're standing up for their business," says O'Donnell. He notes other utilities are lobbying as well. "National Grid dropped their opposition because of some tweaks, so loud voices on on both sides of this debate."
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The budget is due Saturday, but O'Donnell does not expect that to be done on time.