Repubs rush in to help their fossil and utility masters

on Natural Gas Use in Buildings

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican, signed legislation on Feb. 21 that bars a municipality or county from imposing requirements that restrict a utility provider's authority to operate and serve customers. Under the law, municipalities may not deny building permits based on the utility provider that will serve the project. The measure comes at a time when a growing number of cities are moving toward electrifying their building sectors and reducing natural gas use. The law declares that a "utility provider's authority to operate and serve customers is a matter of statewide concern," stifling local clean energy leadership