Inland leaders defend natural gas in homes, businesses

There’s no need to take away Californians’ gas-powered stoves and heaters and raise their energy costs to fight climate change, Inland elected officials, business leaders and representatives of the natural gas industry said Monday, Aug. 5.

The Inland Empire Economic Partnership joined Californians for Balanced Energy Solutions at a Riverside news conference to urge state officials not to eliminate the use of natural gas in homes and businesses as part of an effort to slash greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change.

They were confronted by about 20 sign-waving and surgical mask-wearing protesters who demanded an end to natural-gas use. Their chants – “Zero emissions now!” among others – threatened to drown out speakers at the news conference in front of the County Administrative Center.

About 90% of homes in Central and Southern California use natural gas for cooking and heating, according to the balanced-energy group, which describes itself as “a coalition of natural and renewable gas users.” Its board members include representatives of utility workers’ unions and the Western Propane Gas Association.

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Inland leaders defend natural gas in homes, businesses, By Jeff Horseman, Press Enterprise, August 5, 2019.