Elected officials, climate advocates, architects, and policy experts gathered in front of an all-electric building site in Downtown Brooklyn today to urge New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and the New York City Council to enact a gas ban.
They highlighted Alloy Development’s 44-story 100 Flatbush Avenue project (rendering top) as well as over 70 other fossil free projects in New York City to urge Speaker Corey Johnson and the Council to pass Intro 2317, a gas ban in new construction and gut renovations.
The group said Hurricane Ida’s lethal flooding shows the urgency and necessity of New York City immediately banning gas in new construction and gut renovations. The 100 Flatbush Avenue project and other fossil-free projects already built or in construction in New York City demonstrate that moving from gas to all-electric is practical and cost effective for developers.
Councilmember Alicka Ampry-Samuel, sponsor of Intro 2317, said, “The 41st council district, which I represent, encompasses Brownsville, Ocean Hill, and parts of East Flatbush, Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights. We have been consistently and systematically left out of climate change conversations and initiatives although we are the part of the city that feels the negative effects the most. For that reason, I am proud to lead this charge. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that we turn a corner towards a healthier future without putting duress on the hardworking homeowners and small business owners in my district and in the city.”