Across California, cities are seeking to ditch gas and require buildings be equipped to run solely on electricity for all energy needs including heating and cooking. But union-represented gas workers are worried it could cost them jobs. UCAN has been following this issue for some time now; previously we noted a recent court decision that threatens the ability of jurisdictions to use this tool to fight climate change. Labor, however, interprets bans on natural gas and decarbonization efforts in California will have a major impact on laborers. The city of San Diego knows they have to cut planet-warming emissions from buildings somehow — 20 percent of the city’s emissions came from natural gas-use in homes and businesses in 2019. But the city is moving more slowly than San Francisco, for instance, where county supervisors banned natural gas in new buildings last year. Please read this excellent review for more information: https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/science-environment/one-big-hurdle-for-a-san-diego-gas-ban-union-labor/.
