Vancouver council reinstates ban on natural gas heating in new homes

In the lead-up to a significant vote regarding natural gas heating, the Vancouver city council, located in Canada, faced pressure from various interest groups. The Resource Works organization, which has connections to major gas producers, initiated an email campaign to influence public comments against the gas ban. They provided pre-written feedback for individuals to submit to the city council, including suggested identities like restaurant owners and hospitality workers, despite the ban not affecting businesses directly. The council ultimately voted to reinstate the ban, believing it would help the city meet its 2030 climate goals. Critics, including environmental advocates, denounced the industry tactics employed to sway public opinion while highlighting the health and environmental benefits of restricting fossil fuel usage in new residential developments. Following the vote, the industry group expressed its disappointment and concerns over the ban's impact on economic development and natural gas infrastructure. Notably, the decision received widespread support among environmentalists, who argued that the ban would aid in transitioning Vancouver to cleaner energy sources and improve public health outcomes.