"Colorado Gas Utility's Battle Against Local Climate Change Action"
The mayor of Crested Butte, Colorado, Ian Billick, led a successful push to ban natural gas hookups in new construction as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. However, the town's natural gas provider, Atmos Energy, fought against the ban, claiming it would restrict consumer choice and increase living costs. Similar battles between local gas companies and climate-friendly building codes have been observed across the country, with utilities using their influence and lobbying power to block such policies. Colorado and other states are attempting to limit utility lobbying activities, but the fight for all-electric standards may continue at the local level.