By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square
There’s talk about banning natural gas in Illinois.
A Democratic lawmaker has introduced legislation that would ban natural gas in new buildings.
The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, calls Senate Bill 3935 the Clean and Healthy Buildings Act.
“We must reduce pollution in our buildings and we must begin a managed transition away from dirty, expensive gas to more affordable clean energy solutions,” said Villanueva.
The subject has created a deep divide among Chicagoans after the idea was floated to the city council. Ald. Gilbert Villegas said it is much more expensive to heat a home with electricity.
“During the winter’s frigid temperatures, with tens of thousands of Chicagoans left without electricity, now is the worst possible time to hastily slam through an ordinance without examining true costs,” said Villegas.
Villegas added that a natural gas ban would cause the cost of electricity to spike, hurting low-income Illinoisans the most.
More here.
More unserious silliness from Springfield.