Press Releases and Statements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Audrey Casey

Editorial and Marketing Director

American Public Gas Association

Email: acasey@apga.org

APGA Applauds California’s Energy Commission for Protecting Consumer Choice

Washington, D.C. (May 11, 2021) – The American Public Gas Association (APGA), representing more than 700 local, municipally-owned natural gas systems in 38 states, issued the following statement in response to the California Energy Commission’s draft building code updates:

“APGA supports the California Energy Commission’s efforts to maintain consumer choice for new homeowners wishing to make their own decisions regarding the right energy source for their home. We applaud the Commission for taking this step and avoiding short-sighted, ‘all eggs in one basket' policies like natural gas bans.

APGA urges caution against passing misguided forced electrification policies in the future, which would eliminate consumer choice and neglect the resilient and efficient energy that natural gas offers. Moreover, legislative and regulatory electrification mandates could increase average annual residential household energy-related costs up to $900, or nearly 50% — a devastating financial burden that could have a far-reaching impact on communities and local economies.

For decades, natural gas utilities and their customers have led the charge in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through an expansion of the nation’s gas infrastructure, along with continuous efficiency increases and advancements in renewable energy sources. In fact, since 1970, gas utilities have added 30 million more residential customers with virtually no increases in emissions.

APGA members are dedicated to serving their communities with safe, affordable and reliable natural gas, and will continue to advocate for policies that protect consumer energy choice.”