State Senator Tom O’Mara is ramping up his criticism of New York’s climate mandates, arguing that aggressive energy policies tied to the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) are unworkable, unaffordable, and threatening housing affordability statewide.
In his latest column, O’Mara pointed to the Hochul administration’s recent decision to delay the implementation of the All-Electric Buildings Act, originally set to take effect January 1, 2026. The law would have required new buildings under seven stories to be constructed with all-electric heating, cooling, and appliances.
O’Mara called the delay “good news” but said it doesn’t go far enough. “That action in and of itself does little to remove the uncertainty for builders, consumers, ratepayers, and everyone else who would be hit hard if the mandate ultimately moves forward,” he wrote.
Concerns over housing costs and energy reliability
The New York State Builders Association has warned that going all-electric could add between $7,500 and $25,000 to the cost of a new home — at a time when New York is already grappling with what O’Mara described as a “generational housing crisis.” According to NYSBA estimates, every $1,000 increase in home prices pushes nearly 7,000 families out of the market.
O’Mara argues that the state’s overall climate strategy has been pushed too fast without the technology or infrastructure to support it. He cited the state’s own Draft 2025 Energy Plan, which admitted the current CLCPA goals — 70% renewable energy by 2030 and zero emissions by 2040 — aren’t feasible with existing technology.
Republican counterproposals focus on flexibility and affordability
O’Mara said Senate Republicans have put forward a package of proposals to replace the current mandates with a more flexible, realistic approach. That includes urging the governor to issue an Executive Order allowing builders to use the existing construction code rather than being forced to comply with the electric-only standard.
He also renewed calls for expanding dispatchable energy sources — particularly nuclear — to meet surging energy demands. With the rise of electric vehicles, AI infrastructure, and semiconductor manufacturing, O’Mara said the state must prepare for record-high electricity use in the near future.
“Repeal the mandate”
Ultimately, O’Mara said delaying the electric building law isn’t enough — it needs to be repealed entirely.
“Mandates like this only serve to make New York State a more expensive place to live and do business,” he wrote. “It’s time to fully recognize that mandates like the All-Electric Buildings Act say no to consumer choice, ignore affordability, and impose unreasonable burdens.”
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