Bill Text: NJ SCR18 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Urges federal government to refrain from implementing any ban on gas powered appliances in residential or commercial buildings.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee [SCR18 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2024-SCR18-Introduced.html

---

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 18

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JOSEPH PENNACCHIO

District 26 (Morris and Passaic)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senators Holzapfel and Testa

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Urges federal government to refrain from implementing any ban on gas powered appliances in residential or commercial buildings.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  

A Concurrent Resolution urging Congress and the President of the United States to refrain from implementing any ban on natural gas powered appliances in residential and commercial buildings.

 

Whereas, Natural gas is a critically important part of the energy portfolio of the United States and of New Jersey; and

Whereas, Natural gas appliances, including cooktops, ovens, grills, air conditioners, furnaces, heaters, laundry machines, hot water heaters, and fireplaces, are used in both commercial and residential settings; and

Whereas, Approximately 47 percent of US households utilize natural gas as their main heating fuel; and

Whereas, Approximately 38 percent of US households utilize natural gas for cooking; and

Whereas, Approximately 73 percent of New Jersey households utilize natural gas as their main heating fuel; and

Whereas, Approximately 69 percent of New Jersey households utilize natural gas cooking appliances; and

Whereas, New Jersey has over 35,000 miles of natural gas distribution lines which service over 2.9 million customers; and

Whereas, Natural gas is generally recognized as a cleaner, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly form of energy than other fossil fuels; and

Whereas, Natural gas is abundant in the United States, including neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and New York, and helps the United States maintain energy independence from foreign powers; and

Whereas, The natural gas industry employs thousands of people across the country, including in the State of New Jersey; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

 

     1.    The Legislature of the State of New Jersey urges the United States Congress and President of the United States to refrain from enacting any ban on natural gas powered appliances in residential or commercial buildings.

 

     2.    Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, each member of the Congress elected from this State, and to the President of the United States.

STATEMENT

 

     This concurrent resolution urges the federal government to refrain from enacting any ban on the use of natural gas appliances in residential or commercial buildings.

     Natural gas is a critically important part of the energy portfolio of the United States and of New Jersey.  Natural gas appliances,   including cooktops, ovens, grills, air conditioners, furnaces, heaters, laundry machines, hot water heaters, and fireplaces, are used in both commercial and residential settings.

     Approximately 47 percent of US households utilize natural gas as their main heating fuel and 38 percent of US households utilize natural gas for cooking.  In New Jersey, approximately 69 percent of households utilize natural gas cooking and 73 percent of New Jersey households utilize natural gas as their main heating fuel.  New Jersey has over 35,000 miles of natural gas distribution lines which service over 2.9 million customers.

     Natural gas is generally recognized as a cleaner, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly form of energy than other fossil fuels.

     Natural gas is abundant in the United States, including neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and New York, and helps the United States maintain energy independence from foreign powers.

     The natural gas industry employs thousands of people across the country, including in the State of New Jersey.