Giving Natural Gas the Boot

Cities all over the US are studying and, in some cases, implementing ordinances to eliminate the use of natural gas in homes and businesses.  These ordinances don’t impact existing natural gas installations but restrict the installation of natural gas lines for new construction.  The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are inherent in the production and use of natural gas.  Berkeley, California was the first US city to put a natural gas ban in place, but they won’t be alone for long.

…Now San Francisco is following suit along with 12 other California cities and Marin County in California, including San Jose, Santa Monica, San Luis Obispo, Palo Alto, and Mountain View, according to Sierra Club. Major American cities, including Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Albuquerque are considering similar ordinances to discourage the use of natural gas. Cities in Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington are also considering an all-electric requirement…

Not surprisingly the natural gas industry is beginning to take notice.

Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the American Gas Association, said, "The idea that denying access to natural gas in new homes is necessary to meet emissions reduction goals is false. In fact, denying access to natural gas could make meeting emissions goals harder and more expensive." 

Another industry group, the American Public Gas Association, hopes to boost support for natural gas among 25- to 44-year-old homeowners with ads showing people enjoying hot showers, cooking on gas stoves and relaxing by a fire pit, Reuters reported. 

"We are trying to get ahead of it," said Stuart Saulters, the association's director of Government Affairs. "We think there is a chance this can domino."

Yes, saving the planet is an idea that might domino.