Forty-four percent of adults said they would “definitely” or “probably” back banning natural gas hookups in new construction in their own communities, while 37 percent said they were opposed. This reflected a marked partisan split — 61 percent of Democrats and 26 percent of Republicans in support — but little divide based on income. Forty-two percent of those making less than $50,000 per year said they would be in support, compared with 48 percent of those making more than $100,000 annually who said the same.
And while those who currently use natural gas to heat their homes were less likely to support the potential bans than those who do not, the margin was similarly small, at 41 percent and 47 percent, respectively.
Climate and public health activists have encouraged these bans, citing the potential emissions reductions from building electrification as well as recent research showing that indoor air pollution from stoves and other gas appliances can contribute to asthma, heart disease and other health problems. The latter point led the California Air Resources Board to vote to support all-electric building policies in November.
Unsurprisingly, these proposed bans have seen stiff resistance from the gas industry, which has enjoyed a reputation for providing a fuel for electricity and heating with emissions significantly lower than those of coal. For now, they have staked their chips on the public’s ambivalence about leaving natural gas behind.
“Policies that force customers to give up their natural gas appliances in favor of inferior alternatives are running headlong into the reality that Americans like natural gas and enjoy the comfort and savings that it delivers,” said Karen Harbert, president and chief executive officer of the American Gas Association.
Indeed, the polling results found that, though some say they would switch to electric or other systems if given the chance, at least 1 in 4 say they would be unlikely to even consider it.
