Sonoma County, California, Suspends Gas Ban

Washington, D.C. (Aug. 15, 2024) — In a news release, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reported that it received a written confirmation on Aug. 13 that Sonoma County, California, had suspended the enforcement of an ordinance banning propane appliances in newly constructed buildings in the county.

NPGA’s general counsel, along with the Western Propane Gas Association, had previously sent letters to the county and other localities in California with active electrification building ordinances. According to NPGA, the letters cited the decision in the Berkeley, California, case (CRA v. Berkeley) that stated the Energy Policy and Conservation Act “expressly preempts any state or local regulation ‘concering the energy efficiency, energy use, or water use of’ a covered appliance, and that the electrification ordinances banning gas and propane piping or banning propane powered appliances within buildings are invalid because they govern the energy use of a covered appliance and are thus preempted by federal law.”

NPGA provided more info on the letters and future plans: “We noted multiple California localities that have repealed these ordinances and asked for a meeting with the several remaining localities to discuss their plans regarding these preempted ordinances. We are continuing to reach out to additional localities and meet with attorneys for these localities.”

Those with further questions are encouraged to reach out to Kate Gaziano, NPGA’s director of regulatory affairs and associate general counsel.