Iowa joins other states in stopping natural gas bans

 

Iowa joined other states this week in prohibiting municipalities from banning the use of natural gas in new building construction, a movement prompted by cities in California.

Iowa’s Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 555, which bans cities and counties from regulating the sale of propane or natural gas.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch reported the measure was opposed by the Iowa Environmental Council and other groups that contended the prohibition could lead to higher energy costs and safety threats. They also argued it might slow efforts in Iowa to convert to alternative energy sources.

The Environmental Council claimed the bill was part of a pattern of bills in states around the country driven by gas utility lobbyists. It also claimed the efforts were “designed to ensure gas utilities maintain their monopolies despite the rapidly-falling price of renewable energy.”