The City of Nanaimo, British Columbia is banning natural gas as the primary heating source in new homes beginning in July, 2024, six years ahead of the provincial target.
The 5-4 city council vote followed similar decisions in Saanich and Victoria to speed up implementation of B.C.’s energy step code, the Victoria Times Colonist reports.
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City staff had recommended the decision. They said the new rule will affect about 160 new single-family homes per year.
The gas ban drew mixed reactions on council and in public delegations.
Councillor Tyler Brown, who voted in favour of the 2024 cut-off, said builders and developers had told him the target was realistic. He said individuals, all levels of government, and organizations must step up on emission reductions to avoid climate catastrophes like forest fires, extreme weather and flooding, the Times Colonist writes.
“If we want to be sincere about the [climate] targets we set, this is a necessary policy that we need to put in place.” Brown said.
Councillor Hilary Eastmure acknowledged that change is hard, but asserted that “it is about leadership and doing our part and doing what is best for future generations.”
Mayor Leonard Krog said he wasn’t convinced the ban was worth the effort, warning of “potential disruption at a time when we are still facing a great lack of housing.” Councillor Ian Thorpe said he’d heard from local residents who had used gas to reduce their heating costs and appreciated it as a backup energy source.
Chris Bowen, manager of a local fireplace business, said the measure would cut his revenue 30% and threaten jobs. But local resident Adrienne Fraser urged councillors to back the ban.
If we can move faster by a few years, we should do it,” she said. “When something is harmful to the public, whether it is speeding, driving under the influence, or polluting the atmosphere, it ceases to be a personal choice and becomes a public issue.”
