By Mark Valentini, Director of Legislative Affairs
There have been several developments in the past month in New York and North Carolina on the natural gas front.
In New York City, the City Council is getting ready to vote on a highly restrictive ban on natural gas that would prohibit gas installations in new construction, and phase out existing connections in existing construction where major renovations are undertaken. Similar legislation (Senate Bill 6843A and Assembly Bill 8431) has been proposed by the state legislature in Albany. PHCC-NY, PHCC of Long Island, and the Association of Contracting Plumbers of the City of New York (ACP), and its industry partners, have initiated a grassroots effort with NY signatory and open shop contractors united in its fight against these policies that harm consumers and contractors alike.
New York is yet another battle front in the war against natural gas. In North Carolina, a fuel choice bill (HB220) passed by the North Carolina state legislature which would prohibit local governments and municipalities in the state from initiating natural gas bans similar to what we’re witnessing in New York City. Unfortunately, the bill was vetoed by Governor Roy Cooper who ignored pleas from PHCC of North Carolina contractors to let the bill become law.
PHCC will continue to provide resources to our state and local chapters to fight back against these harmful policies. We are looking for opportunities to get fuel choice legislation passed outside of the 20 states that have already adopted such laws and educate the public on the importance of a diverse energy portfolio that includes natural gas for efficient home heating needs and low electricity bills. This is expected to be PHCC’s #1 policy priority going into 2022.
