In July 2019, the city council in Berkeley, Calif., adopted a new ordinance banning new gas hookups for multifamily buildings. Cities in other regions, like Minneapolis, Minn., have publicly expressed concern that addressing the climate crisis requires similarly urgent action. But what can cities do if they’re not ready to jump to an outright ban?
In this webinar, Institute for Local Self-Reliance Energy Democracy Initiative director John Farrell is joined by Karl Rábago of the Pace Energy and Climate Center to discuss city-level strategies to reduce gas use. Karl covers the basics of how gas delivery works to cities and wraps up with a discussion of a “zero net gas” policy that would require new gas users to offset their gas use elsewhere on the city’s gas network. John’s presentation addresses several additional options that cities can consider.
Download the slides or view the entire presentation below.
Want to hear more about Berkeley’s gas ban? Listen to this recent podcast interview with city council member Kate Harrison and zero net energy designer Sean Armstrong on Local Energy Rules or subscribe to the podcast: Apple | Stitcher | Android | RSS
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Photo credit: John Farrell
