City lawmakers formally fight back against NYS ban on natural gas in new construction
From the City of Hornell, pictured is NYS Assemblyman Phil Palmesano addressing the council
The Hornell Common Council took decisive action to support the Energy Choice Act (H.R. 3699, S. 1945), legislation introduced by our U.S. Representative Nick Langworthy of New York’s 23rd Congressional District, with co-sponsorship from Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia. The bill is designed to protect consumer access to natural gas and other affordable energy sources, preventing state and local bans that could limit choice, raise costs, and reduce reliability for households and businesses.
The support for the bill followed an extensive presentation by New York State Assemblyman Phil Palmesano of the 132nd District, which includes Hornell. Assemblyman Palmesano detailed his experiences during a statewide energy tour, highlighting the potential negative impacts of new legislation set to take effect January 1, 2026. Palmesano outlined the many concerns the implementation of the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA) could have locally, including rising energy costs, reliability challenges, as well as hindering housing and economic development.
Mayor John Buckley expressed his appreciation to Congressman Langworthy for spearheading this legislation, stating: “Like many communities across the state, the City of Hornell continues to face significant increases in energy costs. Removing the option of natural gas would only worsen this burden by raising construction costs for new homes and buildings, which will ultimately hinder residential and economic development. I fully support the federal Energy Choice Act, which would preserve consumer energy options and help maintain affordability.”
3rd Ward Alderman Dr. Joseph McKay states, “I am certainly in favor of alternative energy sources, including natural gas. However, forcing a ban on natural gas in new construction across New York State is a short-sighted policy that will, and has already, driven up energy costs for working families. The infrastructure in its current state cannot withstand the demand that will result in electrifying all of the state. Lastly, it takes away the choice of the people as to how they want to heat their homes.”
Mayor Buckley added, “One project the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) has been working on is bringing new single-family housing to Hornell, which is something our community truly needs. An all-electric mandate and limited energy choice would dramatically increase costs for developers and, ultimately, for homebuyers. And that’s just one project. This type of mandate will have real effects in our community, with negative impacts on growth, development, and energy reliability.”
The Common Council’s resolution affirms the importance of keeping energy choice available for residents and businesses in Hornell. By supporting H.R. 3699 and S. 1945, the Council is working to ensure that local families can access affordable, reliable energy while protecting opportunities for housing and economic growth.
