Gas Moratorium Strategy Call
How do we work towards banning new gas hookups at the city and town level?
Tonight’s agenda
What is MCAN?
Climate Change is Happening
Tornados in Springfield, MA
It’s all about the local action!
Local has always led on climate change
We have the tools
Buildings contribute to climate change
In MA, buildings are responsible for over half of all energy consumption and are responsible for over 40% of carbon pollution.
Better buildings
To help the communities in MA do the Net Zero planning they want to do & reach our climate goals as a state, we need to commit to building fossil fuel-free buildings
Why does gas matter?
Climate
Natural gas is responsible for 2/3 of all electricity generation in MA & makes up over 1/3 of total GHG pollution - excluding leaks
Health
Safety
Transporting natural gas is dangerous & disasters are frequent, putting entire communities at risk
Equity
“Indoor pollution is worse among the poor, where cramped quarters concentrate pollutants — which makes banning natural gas an environmental justice issue. Even when the pollutants are vented to the outdoors, they add to ozone, another threat to respiratory health.” - LA Times
Banning gas sets the stage for a 100% renewable future.
Who is PLAN-NE?
Pipe Line Awareness Network for the Northeast
Mission: To prevent the overbuild of fossil fuel infrastructure in the Northeastern United States and to champion clean, sustainable energy solutions.
Vision: We envision a public that understands where its energy comes from and that actively engages in energy decisions that affect our communities and our region.
Briefing on Berkeley approach
Differences in building codes
Berkeley’s domino effect
Local gas company moratoria
Massachusetts gas hookup bans
How The 3 Proposed Moratoria Would Work
Likely allowed under home rule (AG’s office will have their say)
Just bans the hookup (homeowners/developers don’t have a “right” to hook up to gas)
Structured to not do code’s job
Is about the hookup, not what is in the building
Structured to allow gas companies their right to have infrastructure and to provide their services
They can have pipelines, just not connect to new buildings
Some technical challenges
Challenge: Domestic hot water
Residential - heat pump in basement (or outside)
Multi family Residential- pair solar thermal with electric resistance for lower cost
Commercial - heat pump (less load)
Challenge: Heating and cooling
Solution for all building types - air or ground source heat pumps
Challenge: Stoves
Solution for all building types - induction (certain cultural pitfalls)
Challenge: Backup generators
Residential - not needed or diesel or gas
Multi family Residential - same
Commercial- not needed
Passive house- battery backup? How big a system would you Need? Cost?
Nursing care etc- battery? Cost?
Needs for potential working groups
Email carololdham@massclimateaction.net or rebecca@massclimateaction.net