The city councils in Oakland and San Jose, CA, on Tuesday adopted natural gas bans in new residential and commercial buildings, joining dozens of municipalities in California and elsewhere around the country that have proposed or adopted similar measures.

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The Northern California city councils cited climate change as one reason to ban the use of natural gas. 

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said the Bay Area city provided “national leadership to build cleaner, safer and healthier cities for all families… with this historic transition to all-electric buildings.”

Oakland officials indicated that waivers could be granted for technical feasibility issues. 

Following an initial gas ban, San Jose’s city council voted 8-3 to prevent the use of gas in new construction as it moves...