Heating, cooling and powering buildings accounts for nearly 70% of the city's emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. New buildings' stoves and furnaces would use electricity generated partly from burning natural gas and other fossil fuels, but backers say the change still would keep millions of tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere over time. Berkeley, California, debuted the idea of banning gas hookups for new buildings in 2019. Still, some building interests worried at a City Council hearing last month that banning new natural gas hookups could strain the electrical grid. They also note that natural gas prices fluctuate, having risen notably this year before recently dropping somewhat.

Source: CBC News December 16, 2021 08:36 UTC