31 Alderpeople Agree: Banning Natural Gas is Not the Way Forward for Chicago
Did you see us in the Sunday edition of the Chicago Sun-Times, as well as on the Newspage of the Chicago Sun-Times? We are running another one-day End the Ban on Natural Gas Campaign with a double full-page ad in the Chicago Sun-Times and a digital Homepage Takeover on its website that shares an Op-Ed Authored by 31 Chicago Alderpeople.
This piece shares the view that 2/3 of Chicago’s City Council believes we need to end the ban on natural gas and move forward with a real plan to decarbonize the city that does not eliminate an affordable and reliable energy source that heats 80% of homes.
Read the Op-Ed that Brings Together a Majority of Chicago’s City Council
Decarbonization Plan Risks Reliability, Compromises Jobs, and Hurts Consumers
The people of Chicago deserve a decarbonization plan that prioritizes affordability, job security, and equity—not one that haphazardly imposes an unfunded government mandate that risks power grid reliability, compromises good-paying jobs, and increases utility bills.
Chicago is already grappling with rising electricity costs. Overburdened households are struggling to make ends meet. According to recent data, electricity rates for households in northern Illinois surged by 14% last summer.
A ban on natural gas connections would not only disrupt the current energy landscape, but it would also jeopardize jobs. The natural gas industry employs thousands of union workers in middle-class careers. The Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance (CABO) would put the livelihoods of these residents at risk.
Against these rising costs, proponents proposed CABO, a forced transition to all-electric systems in newly constructed buildings throughout the city—banning natural gas connections. While the proposal is commendable in its environmental aspirations, CABO raises significant concerns about reliability, putting residents out of work, and deepening inequities across Chicago.
The reliability of Chicago’s power grid is a pressing issue, and moving from natural gas to all-electric is costly. With less than 4% of the city’s electricity currently sourced from renewables, such a sudden shift could strain the grid beyond capacity. Households using natural gas for heating save an average of $1,132 per year compared to their all-electric counterparts. The city’s own projections indicate astronomical infrastructure costs to transition—up to $60 billion to convert Chicago’s homes and businesses. These costs would be passed on to Chicagoans, further burdening them with higher utility bills.
Moreover, through this mandate, ComEd would become a super-monopoly, delivering both electricity and heat in the city. ComEd is not prepared to heat homes in Chicago with its current electric grid and, by its own admission, recognized that there is a disconnect between its service and disadvantaged communities in the city. Put simply, with higher costs and subpar service, this ordinance will hurt low-income families most.
Monopolies stifle innovation, exploit consumers, and undermine labor rights–all the things that run counter to the decarbonization plan we believe Chicago deserves. It is imperative to acknowledge the need for diversifying sustainable energy sources beyond just electrification is crucial for establishing a sustainable energy infrastructure.
Residents should have a voice in how they want to heat their homes. Right now, 8-in-10 Illinois households use natural gas for heating. A December poll found that 72% of Chicago voters want a gradual clean energy transition rather than a rapid ban on gas. Homeowners who want to convert their homes to all-electric can already join incentive programs through ComEd and the federal Inflation Reduction Act to make retrofitting more affordable.
Additionally, in a recent development, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overturned the City of Berkeley’s ban on natural gas infrastructure in newly constructed buildings. A parallel lawsuit in New York, and the California case, set a precedent with nationwide implications, raising questions about the viability of this proposed unfunded government mandate.
As elected officials, we have a responsibility to advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of our constituents while advancing sustainability goals. CABO falls short of meeting these criteria. We urge city leadership to heed the concerns raised by elected officials, utility companies, labor unions, and community members and work towards a more sustainable energy future that truly serves the interests of Chicagoans.
Rather than rushing to adopt CABO by imposing an unfunded government mandate, while limiting constituents energy options, we propose exploring alternative approaches with all stakeholders. The recommendations include building weatherization, expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure, electrifying the city fleet, and bolstering funding for mass transit. These measures offer more inclusive and practical pathways toward sustainability, reduce emissions, and create opportunities for job growth and economic development.
We need to prioritize a practical approach that ensures energy reliability, affordability, and job security as we work to meet the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) goals of becoming 100% carbon-free by 2045. We stand ready to collaborate with stakeholders to develop bold solutions that meaningfully address climate change while safeguarding the interests of Chicago residents.
Together, we can build a greener, more resilient city for generations to come.
List of Alderpeople Authoring this Op-Ed
Brian Hopkins – 2nd Ward
Pat Dowell – 3rd Ward
Greg Mitchell – 7th Ward
Michelle Harris – 8th Ward
Anthony Beale– 9th Ward
Peter Chico – 10th Ward
Nicole Lee – 11th Ward
Marty Quinn – 13th Ward
Ray Lopez – 15th Ward
Stephanie Coleman – 16th Ward
David Moore – 17th Ward
Derrick Curtis – 18th Ward
Matt O’Shea – 19th Ward
Ronnie Mosley – 21st Ward
Silvana Tabares – 23rd Ward
Monique Scott – 24th Ward
Walter Burnett – 27th Ward
Jason Ervin – 28th Ward
Chris Taliaferro – 29th Ward
Ruth Cruz – 30th Ward
Felix Cardona – 31st Ward
Scott Waguespack – 32nd Ward
Bill Conway – 34th Ward
Gil Villegas – 36th Ward
Emma Mitts – 37th Ward
Nick Sposato – 38th Ward
Sam Nugent – 39th Ward
Anthony Napolitano – 41st Ward
Brendan Reilly – 42nd Ward
James Gardiner – 45th Ward
Debra Silverstein – 50th Ward
Press Release: One-Day “End the Ban on Natural Gas” Campaign in the Sunday Chicago Sun-Times
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, AFL-CIO, announced it is launching our second one-day “End the Ban on Natural Gas” Campaign through the Fight Back Fund, an effort comprised of tens of thousands of workers who are standing up for working families on Sunday, May 5, 2024. The campaign will share an exclusive Op-Ed authored by 31 Chicago Alderpeople in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Click here to read the full press release.
Make Your Voice Heard
Join 31 of Chicago’s Alderpeople, and make your voice heard. Help us Fight Back and End the Ban on Natural Gas.