Energy Choice Act Blocks Local Governments From Banning Natural Gas, Propane, and Other Energy Sources

The newly introduced Energy Choice Act is short, but it packs a punch aimed squarely at local government control. Essentially, this legislation prevents any state, city, or local government agency from passing rules, codes, or policies that would block or limit how people connect to or install specific types of energy services. This protection covers a wide range of fuels, including natural gas, renewable natural gas, hydrogen, propane, and electricity (SEC. 2).

Who Gets to Choose Your Energy Source?

Think of this bill as a legislative firewall for the energy industry. In recent years, many cities—especially those focused on aggressive climate goals—have started passing ordinances that ban natural gas hookups in new construction, pushing builders toward all-electric appliances. This bill steps in and says, "Not so fast." It mandates that local jurisdictions cannot limit access to an energy service based on its type or source, provided that energy is sold across state lines to the end-user. For regular people, this means that even if your city council votes to ban new gas lines for environmental reasons, this federal law would likely override that decision, ensuring you still have the option to choose gas for your furnace or stove.

The Erosion of Local Control

This is where the rubber meets the road for local communities. The bill’s main goal is to protect consumer choice, which sounds good on paper. However, it achieves this by preempting, or overriding, local control. If you live in a community that has decided, through its elected officials, that it wants to reduce its carbon footprint by restricting new fossil fuel infrastructure, this bill takes that tool away. Local governments often use building codes and zoning laws to manage infrastructure growth, safety, and environmental impact. This Act effectively neutralizes those local tools when it comes to energy source selection.

Impact on Your Home and Community

Consider a small business owner planning a new restaurant. If their city had a ban on new natural gas lines, they might have been forced to invest in new, more expensive electric equipment. Under the Energy Choice Act, they retain the option to install cheaper, familiar gas equipment, potentially saving on upfront costs. Conversely, for a homeowner who wants their community to prioritize cleaner energy and reduce local air pollution from gas infrastructure, this bill removes the local ability to enforce that preference. The legislation protects the expansion of existing energy networks—like natural gas and propane—by ensuring local governments can’t put up regulatory hurdles, prioritizing the availability of these established sources over local climate or safety mandates.