CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on January 7 that it has filed a lawsuit against two California cities over their ordinances banning natural gas infrastructure and appliances in new construction.

The complaint, filed Monday in the Northern District of California, says Morgan Hill’s and Petaluma’s natural gas bans raise energy costs for consumers and undermine U.S. energy dominance.

The DOJ says the policies aim to ban federally regulated gas stoves, furnaces, water heaters, dryers, and other appliances that families rely on every day.

Attorney general Pamela Bondi said these natural gas bans hurt American families and are illegal.

“Especially during winter, Americans deserve reliable, affordable energy,” said Assistant attorney general Brett A. Shumate.

42 California cities have taken action to limit gas in new buildings

Morgan Hill and Petaluma, are banning natural gas in new homes to cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

At least 42 cities in California have acted to limit gas in new buildings. In 2023, a federal appeals court ruled that Berkeley could not enforce its 2019 natural gas ban.

In addition to the natural gas bans, California air districts are increasingly targeting wood smoke as a major health concern.

These policies make it harder to install traditional wood-burning devices in new homes and restrict their use in existing homes during periods of elevated air pollution.

The DOJ complaint asks the court to declare the cities’ natural gas bans preempted by federal law and permanently block their enforcement.

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