In response to a Los Angeles Times article titled “California ditched coal. The gas company is worried it’s next,” which appeared in the online version of the newspaper earlier in the week, APGA released the following statement.
The recent Los Angeles Times article, “California ditched coal. The gas company is worried it’s next” presents a one-sided view that wide-spread mandated electrification is the only way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The reality is that natural gas already has and will continue to reduce emissions, especially when used directly in appliances for home and water heating, and cooking.
Right now, natural gas is delivered to Californians at over two times the efficiency and less than one-third the cost of electricity. Forced electrification will not eliminate the state’s reliance on natural gas since it currently makes up the majority of California’s generation mix and most importantly, it will result in a less efficient delivery of energy which in turn means more energy is wasted.
It is anticipated that over time there will be increases in renewable generation but what is the plan for generation when the sun is not shining, and the wind is not blowing. APGA maintains that the better solution is to use natural gas directly, which provides greater resiliency, affordability, efficiency and reliability. Just ask homeowners in northern California who experienced blackouts whether they prefer a natural gas cooktop, which still operates in a blackout, or an electric stove.
Furthermore, the article labels gas utility employees as “self-serving” for wanting to preserve the ability of consumers to choose natural gas appliances while ignoring the fact that some of those who stand to benefit the most from mandated electrification, i.e. those in electric generation, are the very same people pushing for the end of natural gas appliances.
With its growing domestic supply and safe, reliable and efficient delivery system, the direct use of natural gas is an important part of our country’s energy future and should be part of the solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
For questions on this article, please contact Dave Schryver of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-2742 or by email at dschryver@apga.org.