A court struck down gas bans, so Seattle and other cities are getting creative

Seattle recently passed a new law that is part of a larger trend of local initiatives aimed at reducing emissions by electrifying homes and buildings. Under the city’s new Building Emissions Performance Standard, all existing commercial and multifamily residential buildings over 20,000 square feet must achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This means that building owners will need to replace oil and gas-powered appliances with electric alternatives to reduce indoor air pollution and cut carbon emissions. While some cities faced legal setbacks after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Berkeley, California’s natural gas ban, Seattle and other places are finding creative ways to advance electrification through emissions targets, building code updates, and indoor air pollution restrictions. In addition to Seattle, other cities like Ashland, Oregon, and Washington state are pursuing strategies to reduce emissions at the local level. This includes setting emissions benchmarks and updating building codes to encourage electrification without explicitly banning gas. Despite legal challenges and industry opposition, the momentum to shift towards electrification remains strong as cities and local governments lead the way in transitioning away from gas-powered appliances.