berkeley
Newsletter
Credit: Doris Morgan/Unsplash
Berkeley aims to tax large buildings for natural gas use after gas ban repeal
Berkeley residents will vote in November on a first-of-its-kind tax targeting natural gas consumption in large buildings to fund the city's transition to electric alternatives.
In short:
- The proposed tax targets buildings more than 15,000 square feet, charging $2.96 per 100 cubic feet of gas used.
- Expected to generate $26.7 million annually, 90% of funds will go to electric retrofits in homes and buildings.
- The measure faces legal scrutiny similar to the gas ban but proponents believe it will hold up in court.
Key quote:
“People look to Berkeley as a bellwether for progressive climate action as well as an incubator of ideas. Someone needs to be putting ideas out there, and we think that has been and can continue to be Berkeley.”
— Daniel Tahara, lead organizer, Fossil Free Berkeley
Why this matters:
Shifting large buildings to electric power is crucial for reducing carbon emissions. Berkeley's tax could set a national precedent for how cities fund and enforce decarbonization policies.
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Credit: Doris Morgan/Unsplash
Berkeley reverses its ban on natural gas in new homes after a legal setback
Berkeley, California, has agreed to repeal its pioneering ban on natural gas hookups in new homes, a move that casts doubt on similar bans across the country.
In short:
- Berkeley's decision came after a legal challenge by the California Restaurant Association and a ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- The repeal raises questions about the future of over 140 similar ordinances nationwide, aimed at combating climate change.
- Other cities may still pursue climate goals through building efficiency standards and alternative strategies to natural gas.
Key quote:
“To comply with the Ninth Circuit’s ruling, we have ceased enforcement of the gas ban. Berkeley will continue to be a leader on climate action.”
— Farimah Brown, city attorney for Berkeley
Why this matters:
Despite this setback, options remain for local governments to encourage building electrification through building codes, air emissions standards, and regulation of natural gas distribution, provided these measures align with EPCA stipulations and other federal laws.
In 2021, EHN’s Kristina Marusic presented evidence that natural gas production can be linked to lower birth weights in a national study.
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Newsletter
Photo by KWON JUNHO on Unsplash
Court throws out Berkeley, California's ban on natural gas
A federal appeals court on Monday overturned Berkeley, California’s first-in-the-nation ban on natural gas in new construction, agreeing with restaurant owners who argued the city bypassed federal energy regulations when it approved the ordinance.
Image by Mikes-Photography from Pixabay
The climate impact of your neighborhood, mapped
Where and how you live shapes your household’s contribution to climate change. Explore differences across the nation.
A key to controlling emissions: More buildings in a city’s unused spaces
Constructing more condensed communities in existing neighborhoods has been found to go a long way toward fighting climate change.
The landmark environmental law inside a NIMBY firestorm
Since the 1970s, critics have argued that the California Environmental Quality Act is doing more harm than good. What would reforming the law look like?
Photo by Svetlana Gumerova on Unsplash
Another variable in the winemaking process: Climate change
After two years of fires, the California winery Donkey & Goat has learned to pivot, combining appellations and even vintages to turn despair into deliciousness.
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