After Blocking Gas Bans In Red States, Fossil Fuel Industry Eyes New Jersey

In July 2019 ― while fires blazed from the Amazon to Alaska during what was, at the time, the planet’s hottest month ever recorded ― Berkeley, California, became the first U.S. city to ban newly constructed buildings from using natural gas for heating and cooking. “What we really see it as is a naked attempt by the fossil fuel industry to protect their bottom line by bullying states and cities in an effort to delay the transition to electrified buildings.” - Eric Miller, New Jersey policy director at the Natural Resources Defense Council Looming over these scenarios, however, is the question of how a systemic shift away from gas might affect the availability and prices of fuel during the transition. “You think the natural gas company is going to maintain the gas distribution lines simply for when the power goes out?” said Eric DeGesero, the Fuel Merchants Association’s executive vice president. When the governor wants net-zero carbon energy, just tell us you want net-zero carbon energy, don’t tell us how to get there.” - Eric DeGesero, Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey executive vice president There’s a certain irony in opposing New Jersey’s efforts to dangle carrots that incentivize electric heating over fuel, according to Pringle, the consultant who works with Empower NJ. None of this is laid out in the energy master plan.” But Tittel said Gopal’s bill sends the message that New Jersey is “going to stay on natural gas and burn fossil fuels even if it means more fracking, more pipelines, and more indoor air pollution.” “The problem I see with this bill is it’s basically saying the state of New Jersey is on record stopping or slowing down alternative ways to heat and cool your home that may be greener and, long-term, cheaper,” he said.