Description: This adopted ordinance will prohibit installation of natural gas (methane) infrastructure in new buildings in the city of Berkeley, CA. The ordinance relies on police powers granted by the California Constitution to cities to legislate for the general welfare of their residents. Transport, leakage, and combustion of natural gas are considered threats to the general welfare due to the history of post-earthquake fires fed by gas leaks, the global warming potential of methane that in turn contributes to sea level rise and deteriorating climate, and the health risks associated with combustion of methane in enclosed spaces.

Substitute electric heating and cooling infrastructure in new buildings powered by cleaner electricity is linked to significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is cost competitive because of the cost savings associated with all electric designs that avoid new gas infrastructure. Prohibiting installation of natural gas infrastructure results in elimination of associated GHG emissions in new buildings and reduces health and safety hazards produced by combustion and transport of natural gas.

The Building Decarbonization Coalition maintains a listing of jurisdictions in the United States that have adopted similar ordinances prohibiting methane infrastructure in some or all new buildings. As of January 2023, 99 jurisdictions in 11 states have taken action to decarbonize buildings within their respective jurisdictions.

Goal: Reduce carbon and methane emissions by prohibiting natural gas infrastructure in new buildings