The governor of Kansas allowed the Energy Choice Act to become law, one that stops cities and counties from banning the use of natural gas. It means Kansas is the latest step to oppose a push by environmentalists and other clean air advocates to ban continued use of natural gas.
Gov. Laura Kelly did not sign the measure nor did she veto it. Her in action allowed the creation of a law that prohibits any municipal from banning the use of natural gas. Such bans have been adopted by some California cities.
The city of Lawrence had attempted such a ban and opposed the bill. The ban was part of its commitment to power the city by all renewable energy by 2035.
“The path that I’m seeing Kansas take is really shortsighted and morally wrong,” City Commissioner Lisa Larsen told the Lawrence Journal-World. “And if we continue along this path, there is no doubt in my mind that we are going to be on the wrong side of history.”
The group Americans for Prosperity supported the bill and its spokeswoman Elizabeth Patton claimed natural gas bans could mean less energy competition, resulting in higher utility rates.