TPPF Priority Bill Curtailing City Natural Gas Bans Now Law

Governor Abbott has signed House Bill 17 into law, prohibiting cities from banning natural gas utilities.

“Urban municipalities have attempted to overstep their bounds by creating California-style bans on natural gas utilities. These arbitrary constraints on Texans’ freedom will have no effect on our environment or climate change but will raise the cost of living, particularly for low-income families who can least afford it,” said Jason Isaac, director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered project. “We’re grateful for Rep. Joe Deshotel, Sen. Brian Birdwell, and Governor Abbott’s leadership and for the strong bipartisan coalition of support.”

HB 17 was one of Life:Powered’s ten energy policy priorities for the 87^th Legislative Session to preserve affordable, reliable energy in Texas.