As NYC ban on dirty fuel looms, building owners struggle with pivot to clean heating

Landlords of roughly 2,800 buildings still use No. 4 heating oil, a major source of air pollution in New York City. But some building owners say they don’t feel prepared to pivot to cleaner alternatives as mandated, despite government-funded incentives to help make the switch.

This fuel source is now on a fast track to being abolished citywide, after the New York City Council voted in February to accelerate a ban. Akin to the new restrictions on gas stove hookups, the ban on No. 4 fuel oil is necessary for improving the city's air quality and reducing the effects of climate change, but landlords say the up-front expenses of phasing out heating oil has created logistical costs and hurdles.

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