Chico Times

California Legislative Republicans have requested federal intervention to address state and local initiatives that aim to ban natural gas. They argue these measures increase costs and limit consumer options. In a letter addressed to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the lawmakers urged the federal government to prevent regulations that would stop Californians from buying or installing gas appliances in their homes.

"Democrats’ energy policy is ruining family budgets and supercharging California’s cost-of-living crisis," stated Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher of East Nicolaus. He added, "Working Californians already face some of the highest electric rates in the country – they can’t afford to have out-of-touch bureaucrats ban more affordable energy sources. If California’s leaders won’t stand up for consumers, the federal government should."

Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones from San Diego commented, "The government overreach must stop. Californians don’t need unelected bureaucrats dictating what appliances they can buy." He further noted, "Electricity rates in California are the highest in the nation, and we barely have enough supply to keep the lights on. Now, Democrats want to push consumers away from the only more affordable alternative. Who exactly are they serving with this crusade against natural gas?"

Despite federal law preempting such restrictions, Democrat-led state agencies and local governments have been advocating for all-electric mandates. Over 60 cities and counties in California have enacted bans on natural gas appliances or set zero-emission appliance requirements. Even after a recent federal court ruling overturned Berkeley's natural gas ban, many similar policies remain active, causing uncertainty and increasing expenses for consumers, businesses, and manufacturers.

The impact of all-electric mandates is significant in California where electricity rates are 92% higher than the national average. Banning gas appliances would compel homes and businesses to depend solely on an already strained electrical grid, potentially raising costs further while reducing reliability.

The letter signed by all legislative Republicans requests that the Department of Energy assess these policies and work towards overturning gas appliance bans when feasible.