The article argues against the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board's position on banning methane gas in new buildings. It highlights the potential financial savings for residents through electrification, citing a 2022 NRDC study which estimates savings of $11,000 to $24,000 over 20 years. It emphasizes the significant greenhouse gas emissions from residential buildings, which could be reduced by over half with a ban, and challenges the notion that electrification merely shifts emissions to electric power generation, asserting that using electric heat pumps remains beneficial for emissions reduction.
A 2022 Natural Resources Defense Council study found that Chicagoans could save roughly $11,000 to $24,000 over 20 years by ditching expensive methane gas and fully electrifying their homes.
In reality, a methane gas ban would significantly reduce Chicago's greenhouse gas emissions. Residential buildings contributed 27% of Chicago's greenhouse gas emissions.
The electrification of Chicago homes will increase the demand for electricity from the power grid...even if the grid is 100% powered by methane gas, using electric heat pumps instead of gas furnaces in homes would still save greenhouse gas emissions.
#methane-gas-ban #greenhouse-gas-emissions #chicago-buildings #electric-heat-pumps #natural-gas-ban #chicago-emissions #climate-action #electrification #energy-costs
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