Jan. 26, 2022
HARRISBURG – The House today passed legislation authored by Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) that would prevent municipalities from enacting ordinances that would prohibit the use of natural gas as a utility.
“Some major U.S. cities have enacted or have proposed laws to ban or curb the use of fossil fuels in new homes and buildings,” O’Neal said. “It is important that people have the opportunity to choose their energy source and that a wide variety of options are available. By enacting this law, Pennsylvania would join states such as Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas and Louisiana in preserving choice.”
House Bill 1947 would bar municipalities from banning the use of natural gas through:
• Adoption of a policy that restricts, prohibits or has the effect of restricting, prohibiting the connection or reconnection of a utility service based on the type of energy source to be delivered to an individual consumer within the municipality.
• Discrimination against a utility service provider based in whole or in part on the nature of the source of the utility service provided for an individual consumer within the municipality.
In addition, the bill does not restrict the municipality from managing or operating a publicly owned utility or taking steps designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from municipal facilities and operations, including purchasing renewable energy.
The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
The 48th Legislative District in Washington County includes the city of Washington; Chartiers, North Franklin, North Strabane and South Strabane townships; and Canonsburg, East Washington and Houston boroughs.
Representative Tim O’Neal
48th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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