Seattle City Council Considers Banning Natural Gas in New Homes

The Seattle City Council is considering a ban on natural gas on all new construction homes and buildings.  The first city to do so was Berkeley, California, who in July first banned natural gas.  Following up on that news, Menlo Park decided to follow in their footsteps.  Both bans would take effect January 2020.  Now Seattle is looking to be city number three in the United States.  If passed, it would take effect in July 2020.

Councilmember Mike O’Brien is set to introduce this new legislation that would prohibit gas for heating and cooking, favoring electricity.  As part of the Green New Deal, Seattle is working towards eliminating fossil fuels by 2030.  Environmentally speaking, natural gas is no longer the best option.  Previously known as the cleaner alternative to coal, now we are seeing more option for renewable energy sources.  Many cities around the world are looking to phase out natural gas.  Vancouver, British Columbia banned gas in new construction homes in 2017.  Amsterdam plans to be gas-free by 2050. 

For Seattle, this would be a significant change.  As of 2018, about 55% of all homes in Seattle are heated by gas.