Natural gas tug-of-war

Presented by Chevron: Your guide to the political forces shaping the energy transformation

Nov 30, 2022 View in browser   By Arianna Skibell Presented by Chevron A flame burns on a natural gas stove. | AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle, File Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sent Europe knocking on the United States' door looking for natural gas. Meanwhile, some communities in the United States are trying to ban it. Montgomery County, Md., made moves this week to become the first county on the East Coast to ban natural gas as a heat source in new buildings, writes POLITICO's E&E News reporter David Iaconangelo. The plan, expected to go into effect by the end of 2026, will require most new buildings in the county to use electricity or other non-combustion technologies for space and water heat, as well as for cooking. About 40 percent of the country's planet-warming pollution comes from buildings, making the sector a prime target for emission cuts. Still, only two U.S. states — Washington and California — have approved statewide restrictions on fossil-fueled heat. Those are set to take effect by the end of the decade. The District of Columbia enacted a similar policy last summer. New York is also considering a gas ban, and Massachusetts has created a pilot program that allows up to 10 cities to enact a ban. Countering the trend is a strong push from the natural gas industry to outlaw such bans. Twenty states prevent cities from prohibiting gas use in buildings. Ten more prohibit utilities from encouraging customers to switch to electric. Nationally, natural gas and electricity are neck and neck as sources of heat in buildings. President Joe Biden's $369 billion climate law, which includes programs to encourage electrification, could tip the scale. Halfway across the world, on the other hand, Europe's sudden need for an alternative to Russian natural gas is causing the continent to turn to fuel from the United States, one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas. But it's also prompting European Union leaders to complain about the price they're paying for American gas — though, of course, that's not something the Biden administration controls. The result is tension about gas, both here and abroad.   It's Wednesday, and the last day of Atlantic hurricane season — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO's Power Switch. I'm your host,  Arianna Skibell.  Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to  askibell@eenews.net.   A message from Chevron: We're working to help lower the lifecycle carbon emissions of transportation fuels. Find out how Chevron's renewable diesel can help fuel the way to a lower carbon future.   Listen to today's POLITICO Energy podcast Today in POLITICO Energy's podcast: Garrett Downs explains why a farming practice called regenerative agriculture might have bipartisan appeal for the upcoming farm bill.   A message from Chevron:   Power Centers Freight train cars sit in a Norfolk Southern rail yard on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in Atlanta. | Danny Karnik/AP Photo Off the rails The House voted today to head off a nationwide freight rail strike by imposing a contract opposed by tens of thousands of unionized workers — just days before the threatened work stoppage is likely to begin affecting the economy, writes Alex Daugherty. The action, which still needs a vote in the Senate, is meant to prevent a freight shutdown that would cost the U.S. an estimated $2 billion per day. Biden enters new phase President Joe Biden set out this week to reframe his economic record with a visit to a semiconductor manufacturing plant in Michigan, write Scott Waldman and Benjamin Storrow. Biden's speech reflected a nuanced pivot in messaging as he enters the next phase of his presidency — one in which Republicans control the House and his chief job is to put past legislative victories into real-world action. Responsibly sourced oil? Colorado oil and gas drillers are operating under some of the strictest new rules in the country for producing fossil fuels, writes Mike Soraghan. Embracing their fate, drillers are now marketing those rules as "the gold standard" as they try to sell utilities and others on the "Colorado Molecule." in other news "Gaslighting" is Merriam-Webster's word of 2022. | JMH/AP Photo Words words words: The fossil fuel origins of the term "gaslighting," meaning a deception that leaves someone doubting their perception of reality. Electric future: Why America doesn't have enough electric-vehicle charging stations.   POLITICO APP USERS: UPGRADE YOUR APP BY DECEMBER 19! We recently upgraded the POLITICO app with a fresh look and improved features for easier access to POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Starting December 19, users will no longer have access to the previous version of the app. Update your app today to stay on top of essential political news, insights, and analysis from the best journalists in the business. UPDATE iOS APP – UPDATE ANDROID APP .     Subscriber Zone A showcase of some of our best subscriber content. Residents of Puerto Rico wade through flood waters in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. | Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images Dozens of municipalities in Puerto Rico are suing the fossil fuel industry for compensation related to the 2017 hurricane season that killed thousands and decimated the island's power system. Members of Congress have an answer for French President Emmanuel Macron's pleas for a relaxation of U.S. green-energy subsidies: "Non merci." A Senate committee deadlocked on mine safety nominee Moshe Marvit, who would give Democrats a majority on the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. That's it for today, folks! Thanks for reading.   Mark your calendar! The fourth annual edition of the Future Sustainability Week will take place from November 29 to December 1. Take part in discussions about the most current and pressing sustainability policies together with our expert speakers. Join this three-day-long summit, either in Brussels or online, by  registering today !       A message from Chevron: Renewable fuels can help lower lifecycle carbon emissions in industries around the world. At Chevron, we're working to bring more renewable fuels to vehicles, today. Our renewable diesel can fuel trucks, trains, heavy-duty vehicles, and more, without requiring new equipment or infrastructure. The fuel—which is made with bio feedstock—has lower carbon intensity than regular diesel. It's just one of the ways Chevron is committed to increasing our renewable fuel production, and fueling a lower carbon world. Find out more about our renewable diesel.     Follow us on Twitter Arianna Skibell @ariannaskibell   Follow us

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