Investigative reporter Ben Elgin uncovers the questionable support behind the California Restaurant Association's fight against gas bans. The podcast delves into the legal battle in Berkeley over gas hookups in buildings and the broader implications for the industry. It also discusses the challenges faced by restaurants transitioning to electric appliances and the implications of resisting gas bans in various cities.
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Quick takeaways
The podcast highlighted the conflict between environmental goals and industry interests in the fight against gas bans.
Gas companies are strategically planning to use the legal victory in California to oppose similar regulations nationwide.
Deep dives
Berkeley's Ban on Gas Hookups
Berkeley, California passed a law in 2019 unanimously banning gas hookups for new buildings, aiming to limit future fossil fuel consumption. This groundbreaking legislation focused on preventing new buildings in Berkeley from relying on gas for power, viewed as a significant step in reducing the city's carbon footprint.
California's Gas Dependency and Climate Goals
California, significantly reliant on gas power, aims to cut emissions by 40% by 2030. The state needs to shrink its gas system to meet ambitious climate goals. The 2019 Berkeley law, viewed as a small advancement, intended to halt the expansion of gas usage amid concerns about the environment.
The Role of Gas Industry in Legal Battles
The legal battle over the Berkeley gas ban involved the California Restaurant Association, opposing the ban due to concerns about cost and a preference for gas appliances. Questions arose about who funded the legal challenge, with suspicions pointing towards the gas industry. Efforts were made to influence other cities following Berkeley's lead in banning gas hookups.
After Berkeley, California, became the first city in the US to ban natural gas in new buildings in 2019, it gained an unlikely opponent: the California Restaurant Association. The industry group sued the city, and kicked off a four-year-plus legal battle that ended with the city backing down. But when Bloomberg’s Ben Elgin started following the money, he found evidence that raised questions about where the association got its support.
In today’s episode, host Sarah Holder speaks with Elgin about the fight against California gas bans and how gas companies are planning to leverage that victory nationally.