MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle takes new approach in latest bid to curb use of natural gas in homes

Dec 3, 2020, 3:18 PM | Updated: 10:26 pm

natural gas...

Seattle continues to mull a ban on natural gas. (Photo Illustration by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

(Photo Illustration by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

A measure to ban natural gas in newly-built single-family homes and buildings fizzled out in 2019. Now, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is looking to take a different tack with an updated proposal.

How a gas ban in Seattle could affect housing market

The newly-announced legislation from Durkan would seek to limit the use of natural gas in newly-constructed large multi-family buildings and commercial construction. The hope is to reduce the city’s overall carbon emissions, and combat an ongoing climate crisis.

“We are facing a climate disaster,” Mayor Durkan said in a written release. “It is up to Seattle and other cities to make the bold changes necessary to lower our greenhouse gas emissions.”

Council President Lorena Gonzalez voiced support for the measure Thursday, indicating that she is “pleased” to see the proposal, and will “look forward to working with the community and the Mayor on more critical climate action” in the future.

The 2019 iteration of this legislation was presented by then-Councilmember Mike O’Brien, and would have broadly banned the implementation of natural gas in all new single-family home construction in Seattle starting in July of 2020. At the time, the now-retired councilmember pointed out natural gas in buildings accounted for roughly a fourth of Seattle’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

But O’Brien’s bill failed to even make it to a vote before the council, after it sparked a wave of outrage from local construction companies, Puget Sound Energy, unions, and various other companies that provide services related to natural gas.

Study: Fossil fuels could cause clouds to disappear

Those concerns were largely rooted in the expansive nature of O’Brien’s proposed ban, which would have included gas ranges, space and water heating, and all other uses of natural gas in newly-built single-family homes. A 2018 report indicated that just over half of the city’s single-family homes use natural gas.

Durkan’s new proposal is less broad, specifically targeting the use of gas for space and water heating in new large multi-family and commercial buildings, while requiring “electrical infrastructure necessary for future conversion of any gas appliances in multi-family buildings.”

The mayor plans to send the legislation to councilmembers “at the end of the year.” If it’s approved, it would take effect in spring of 2021.

MyNorthwest News

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

56 minutes ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

2 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

3 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

4 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

14 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

15 hours ago

Seattle takes new approach in latest bid to curb use of natural gas in homes