Los Angeles Takes ‘Critical First Step’ to Ban Natural Gas Hookups in New Buildings

The Los Angeles City Council approved a motion to ban natural gas hookups to new buildings to address the city’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

Councilmembers Nithya Raman, Mitch O’Farrell, Nury Martinez, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and Paul Koretz introduced the motion in early February. In late May, all of the council members voted to approve the motion. 

By late November, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, the City Attorney, and the Climate Emergency Mobilization Office should have completed a strategy to implement the ban for new residential and commercial buildings. The ban would take effect Jan. 1.

Los Angeles would join more than 50 California cities in banning natural gas from new buildings. 

The city’s buildings account for 43% of GHGs, more...