Tell Your State Legislators to Oppose Gas Preemption Legislation

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering bills, HB 1947 and SB 275, that would prohibit municipalities in Pennsylvania from adopting any policy that would have the “effect of” restricting utility service based on the type of energy source to be delivered. The purpose of the legislation is to prevent municipalities from banning fossil gas hookups in new buildings, a step that a number of cities in the United States (though none in Pennsylvania) have taken in recent years.  

Although proponents refer to these bills as “energy choice” legislation, the reality is very different. The bills would prevent municipalities from even incentivizing the use of utility services that are safer, healthier, and better for the environment. Similar bad legislation is being pushed in states around the country by the fossil fuel industry. They see the writing on the wall: electrification is the future, and gas heating is the past. But the fossil fuel industry is using its army of lobbyists to delay the transition as long as possible, without any consideration for the climate, public health, or ratepayers.

These bills came very close to passing through the legislature with a veto-proof majority, and they are still looming. Please tell your legislators to oppose SB-275/HB 1947.