Author: Matthew Christie | October 30, 2023

With legal proceedings, court appeals and political action currently in process, learn why some states are prohibiting new natural gas hookups in certain sectors as part of decarbonization strategies and what it means for consumers and contractors alike.

As decarbonization becomes imperative for combatting the impacts of climate change nationwide, the Federal Government, states and municipalities are looking beyond the power generation market for new solutions that can make a big difference. Because a major source of carbon emissions come from fossil fuels used in buildings, eliminating the use of natural gas in new construction is a policy option gaining both traction and controversy.

Decarbonizing the building sector requires reducing or removing the emissions that come from oil or natural gas sources used for heating and ornamental fireplaces, domestic hot water, clothes drying and cooking. From boilers to hot water heaters, furnaces and gas stoves, there are a lot of ways a home or other building may burn fossil fuels. Eliminating these sources and replacing equipment with new electric technology can reduce outdoor air pollution, improve indoor air-quality and improve the environment- helping to meet climate goals- but it can also mitigate rising utility costs, protect affordable housing options and address the safety, indoor air and human health impacts that can occur with burning fossil fuels inside.

As states regulate natural gas in new construction, there are concerns from many stakeholders regarding this notable change. While this has led to some contentious legal and political battles, the trend is here to stay. And with many exciting new and emerging replacement options for natural gas appliances, combined with ongoing stakeholder education and outreach campaigns, there can be a positive path forward for building decarbonization.

With legal proceedings, court appeals and political action currently in process, learn why some states are prohibiting new natural gas hookups in certain sectors as part of decarbonization strategies and what it means for consumers and contractors alike.

As decarbonization becomes imperative for combatting the impacts of climate change nationwide, the Federal Government, states and municipalities are looking beyond the power generation market for new solutions that can make a big difference. Because a major source of carbon emissions come from fossil fuels used in buildings, eliminating the use of natural gas in new construction is a policy option gaining both traction and controversy.

Decarbonizing the building sector requires reducing or removing the emissions that come from oil or natural gas sources used for heating and ornamental fireplaces, domestic hot water, clothes drying and cooking. From boilers to hot water heaters, furnaces and gas stoves, there are a lot of ways a home or other building may burn fossil fuels. Eliminating these sources and replacing equipment with new electric technology can reduce outdoor air pollution, improve indoor air-quality and improve the environment- helping to meet climate goals- but it can also mitigate rising utility costs, protect affordable housing options and address the safety, indoor air and human health impacts that can occur with burning fossil fuels inside.

As states regulate natural gas in new construction, there are concerns from many stakeholders regarding this notable change. While this has led to some contentious legal and political battles, the trend is here to stay. And with many exciting new and emerging replacement options for natural gas appliances, combined with ongoing stakeholder education and outreach campaigns, there can be a positive path forward for building decarbonization.

With legal proceedings, court appeals and political action currently in process, learn why some states are prohibiting new natural gas hookups in certain sectors as part of decarbonization strategies and what it means for consumers and contractors alike.

As decarbonization becomes imperative for combatting the impacts of climate change nationwide, the Federal Government, states and municipalities are looking beyond the power generation market for new solutions that can make a big difference. Because a major source of carbon emissions come from fossil fuels used in buildings, eliminating the use of natural gas in new construction is a policy option gaining both traction and controversy.

Decarbonizing the building sector requires reducing or removing the emissions that come from oil or natural gas sources used for heating and ornamental fireplaces, domestic hot water, clothes drying and cooking. From boilers to hot water heaters, furnaces and gas stoves, there are a lot of ways a home or other building may burn fossil fuels. Eliminating these sources and replacing equipment with new electric technology can reduce outdoor air pollution, improve indoor air-quality and improve the environment- helping to meet climate goals- but it can also mitigate rising utility costs, protect affordable housing options and address the safety, indoor air and human health impacts that can occur with burning fossil fuels inside.

As states regulate natural gas in new construction, there are concerns from many stakeholders regarding this notable change. While this has led to some contentious legal and political battles, the trend is here to stay. And with many exciting new and emerging replacement options for natural gas appliances, combined with ongoing stakeholder education and outreach campaigns, there can be a positive path forward for building decarbonization.

With legal proceedings, court appeals and political action currently in process, learn why some states are prohibiting new natural gas hookups in certain sectors as part of decarbonization strategies and what it means for consumers and contractors alike.

As decarbonization becomes imperative for combatting the impacts of climate change nationwide, the Federal Government, states and municipalities are looking beyond the power generation market for new solutions that can make a big difference. Because a major source of carbon emissions come from fossil fuels used in buildings, eliminating the use of natural gas in new construction is a policy option gaining both traction and controversy.

Decarbonizing the building sector requires reducing or removing the emissions that come from oil or natural gas sources used for heating and ornamental fireplaces, domestic hot water, clothes drying and cooking. From boilers to hot water heaters, furnaces and gas stoves, there are a lot of ways a home or other building may burn fossil fuels. Eliminating these sources and replacing equipment with new electric technology can reduce outdoor air pollution, improve indoor air-quality and improve the environment- helping to meet climate goals- but it can also mitigate rising utility costs, protect affordable housing options and address the safety, indoor air and human health impacts that can occur with burning fossil fuels inside.

As states regulate natural gas in new construction, there are concerns from many stakeholders regarding this notable change. While this has led to some contentious legal and political battles, the trend is here to stay. And with many exciting new and emerging replacement options for natural gas appliances, combined with ongoing stakeholder education and outreach campaigns, there can be a positive path forward for building decarbonization.

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Matthew Christie

Matthew Christie is a TRC Project Manager with expertise in energy efficiency and energy use reduction for the built environment using a whole-building approach. He has program management and technical experience in program design; program implementation; energy modeling and simulation; home performance energy audits; data and process analysis; and heat transfer and fluid dynamics. Matthew is Vice Chair of the California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC) and a Certified Energy Plans Examiner (CEPE) for residential buildings. He holds a B.A. in Physics and Mathematics from Skidmore College and an M.S. in Engineering and Energy Technologies from Dartmouth College. Read more about Matthew on his bio Contact Matthew at mchristie@trccompanies.com.