Approved October 10, 2023

RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPPORTING NYS BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEED TO CLARIFY FOSSIL FUEL BAN DEADLINES

WHEREAS,   the State of New York has instituted a future ban on the use of fossil fuels to heat newly constructed buildings and dwellings;  and

WHEREAS,  the ban would prohibit fossil fuel heating systems in buildings with fewer than seven stories completed after 12/31/25, and in buildings with more than seven stories completed after 12/31/28;  and

WHEREAS,  the various approval processes and construction of new housing and commercial buildings can take several years, and many of such projects are already in progress and may not be completed before the applicable deadlines noted above;  and

WHEREAS,  it is unclear as to how the normal hardship waiver process will be applied to construction projects that have already been fully designed and commenced but, through no fault of the developer, might not be completed before the deadlines; and

WHEREAS,  the New York State Builders Association has sent a letter to New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriquez requesting a meeting to clarify how hardship waivers regarding fossil fuel heating systems will be administered;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce supports the request for a meeting from the NYS Builders Association to clarify the waiver process regarding the ban on fossil fuels for new construction.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce hereby reiterates it’s previously expressed strong opposition to the ban on natural gas connections for new construction.