While Democrats around the country have sought to block natural gas-powered appliances, the “Energy Choice” bill sponsored by state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford) lets freedom ring for consumers.
The bill, SB 311, would prevent local municipalities from banning natural gas hookups and other energy choices.
“Senate Bill 311 upholds the right of Pennsylvanians to choose the energy source for their homes and businesses, including natural gas, solar, geothermal, or other renewables. This aligns with Pennsylvania’s ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy to support diverse energy options,” said Energy Association of Pennsylvania President and CEO Andy Tubbs.
The legislation was approved by an 8-3 vote in the Local Government Committee on Tuesday. It now goes to the full Senate.
Both Delaware Valley members of the committee, Democrat Sens. Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) and Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) voted against the measure. Neither responded to DVJournal’s requests for comment.
Local Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery) is a co-sponsor.
“It’s simply about consumer choice and keeping energy costs low,” said Yaw. “When municipal governments start picking winners and losers, then we have a serious problem. Pennsylvania residents have a myriad of energy options to choose from and we should keep it that way.”
Yaw referenced Berkeley, Calif., the first city in the nation to ban natural gas hookups in new construction. The 2019 move was an effort to keep buildings and homes from using fossil fuels. After the 9th Circuit Court ruled against natural gas bans, various California cities that had adopted the laws suspended them.
However, a natural gas ban for stoves and furnaces for most new construction was approved in New York state, which is the first state to enact a ban.
“Many of my constituents still use wood to heat their homes,” Yaw continued. “Are we going to stop them next?”
Pennsylvania is America’s second-largest producer of natural gas and a state where 47 percent of households rely on natural gas or propane for heat, far more than electricity (29 percent) or heating oil (20 percent).
“This bill comes at a time when some politicians want to force their will on consumers by telling them ‘No’ to natural gas in their homes or businesses, and that’s just wrong. Energy choice enables customers to select the generation methods that are right for their homes and businesses while empowering them to help guide Pennsylvania’s energy future,” said Kurt Knaus, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance, which comprises chambers, labor organizations, conservation groups and others focused on energy infrastructure and responsible energy development.
“The last thing we need is a patchwork of regulations where one person can power their home with the fuel of their choice, while just next door in a neighboring municipality they are denied that same opportunity,” said Knaus. “That’s not only unfair; it also hampers the buildout of critical infrastructure by making it cumbersome and more expensive because of costly mandates.”
Many household cooks and professional chefs prefer cooking on gas stoves.
Well-known Philadelphia chef Tod Wentz told DVJournal he prefers cooking on gas stoves. He suggested incentivizing people through tax breaks would be a better method for those determined to change energy sources rather than legislative bans.
