Local Industry, Politicians Oppose Plans to Phase Out Use of Natural Gas

SEATTLE (Oil Monster):  Another chunk of Kern County's economy — natural gas production — has come under threat from California's efforts to "decarbonize" buildings across the state as a way of helping achieve Sacramento's greenhouse-gas reduction goals.

A proposal being reviewed by the California Public Utilities Commission is aimed at identifying projects that would replace natural gas-fired appliances in homes and businesses with strictly electric-powered equipment.

The idea, based on a pair of laws signed in 2018 by former Gov. Jerry Brown, is to support California's intention to cut greenhouse-gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

Kern County politicians and industry have argued against the plan, saying that scaling back the use of natural gas would raise energy costs for businesses and consumers, especially those in the Central Valley.

Instead, they contend the state would be better served by diversifying its energy portfolio, which they maintain would make California more resilient and bolster the reliability of its power supply.

 Courtesy: www.bakersfield.com