Berkeley, California, ambitious gas ban faces major setback, raising questions for similar initiatives nationwide

Berkeley's groundbreaking gas ban initiative has hit a major roadblock, leaving many wondering about the future of similar measures in other cities.

Akielly Hu reports for Grist.


In short:

  • Berkeley's gas ban, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, has faced resistance from builders and homeowners.
  • The city council is reconsidering the ban's scope and timeline, raising doubts about its ultimate success.
  • Advocates and policymakers across the country are closely watching this development, as it may impact their efforts to combat climate change through similar measures.

Key quote:

"Cities are extremely motivated to address emissions from their buildings, which are an incredibly important source of climate and health-harming pollution. And I don’t think that this court order can stand in the way of that progress.”"

— Jim Dennison, Sierra Club attorney

Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate and health.

A man sitting in front of computer screens with data charts and maps on the screens

See the record-breaking disaster data the government won’t publish

Disaster data, revived by former NOAA scientists after federal tracking was cut, highlights the growing toll of climate-fueled disasters on American communities.

A woman in a hard hat kneels next to a solar panel in a green field holding a tablet

Northern Virginia farm tests if solar and agriculture can live in harmony

The Piedmont Environmental Council is exploring whether solar energy and agriculture can share the same land through agrivoltaics—an approach that could help Virginia meet its clean energy goals while preserving farmland.

A view of tundra and yellow bushes with fog in the distance

Trump administration moves toward an Arctic Alaska oil lease sale despite the government shutdown

The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to auction oil and gas leases across millions of acres in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, reversing decades of protections for sensitive Arctic habitats.

A closeup of a mosquito sitting on a rock

Mosquitoes found in Iceland for first time as climate crisis warms country

Scientists have confirmed the first-ever discovery of mosquitoes in Iceland, a nation once too cold for the insects to survive.

A closeup of a black camera

The methane hunters of Melendugno

Environmental watchdogs in southern Italy are using satellite data and thermal cameras to expose methane emissions from the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, challenging company claims of compliance and raising doubts about Europe’s commitment to cutting fossil fuel pollution.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Burgum declares offshore wind ‘bad for everybody’

The Interior secretary predicted that the Republican megalaw would kill the U.S. industry.
drone phot of large data center in rural setting
Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Moffett on Unsplash

AI data centers create fury from Mexico to Ireland

As tech companies build data centers worldwide to advance artificial intelligence, vulnerable communities have been hit by blackouts and water shortages.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.