Special to The Times
The state House of Representatives passed legislation last week that would block Ohio cities from limiting or banning residents from obtaining natural gas or propane services for their homes.
All House Republicans and two Democrats voted in favor of House Bill 201, which would undercut potential efforts from cities taking a go-at-it alone approach to climate change when the state won’t act.
No Ohio cities have undertaken any such effort, though some like Cleveland and Cincinnati have passed resolutions aimed at operating exclusively on renewable energy by 2025.
The bill would prevent cities from enacting any law or building code that “limits, prohibits, or prevents” residential, commercial, or industrial consumers within their boundaries from obtaining natural gas service.