Des Moines, Iowa, becomes first city in the nation to ban natural gas hookups in new buildings

City council votes unanimously to adopt ordinance requiring all new construction to be all-electric

Move seen as major step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality

Des Moines, Iowa, has become the first city in the United States to ban natural gas hookups in all new buildings. The city council voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt an ordinance that will require all new construction to be all-electric, starting in 2024.

The move is seen as a major step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in the city. Natural gas is a fossil fuel that emits carbon dioxide and other pollutants when burned. By banning natural gas hookups, Des Moines is taking a proactive approach to addressing climate change and protecting the health of its residents.

The ordinance will apply to all new buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Existing buildings will not be affected by the ban.

The city council's decision was based on a recommendation from the city's Climate Action Task Force, which was formed in 2020 to develop a plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Des Moines. The task force found that natural gas hookups are a major source of emissions in the city, and that banning them would be a significant step towards achieving the city's climate goals.

The ordinance is expected to take effect in 2024. By that time, the city hopes to have a robust network of electric vehicle charging stations in place to support the transition to all-electric buildings.

Des Moines is not the first city to consider a ban on natural gas hookups. In 2020, Berkeley, California, became the first city in the country to adopt a similar ordinance. Since then, a number of other cities, including San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles, have followed suit.

The movement to ban natural gas hookups is growing rapidly, as cities across the country look for ways to reduce their carbon emissions and improve air quality. Des Moines' decision to ban natural gas hookups is a significant step forward in this movement, and it is likely to inspire other cities to follow suit.