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https://theconversation.com/nzs-gas-problem-phasing-out-natural-gas-in-homes-demands-affordable-alternatives-first-205991>
"Do you have gas? It’s a personal question that may cause offence – and not
always for the obvious reason. Because the way we choose to cook or heat our
homes is increasingly becoming something of a sore point.
Since the Climate Change Commission issued draft advice recommending the
banning of new gas installations by 2025, anyone with a gas hob or central
heating has been put on notice.
With the government’s gas transition plan due for consultation this year, a
long-term plan to phase out gas will require everyone affected to start
thinking about the alternatives. But it may not be a simple transition. Moves
to cancel the humble gas hob even ignited another culture war in the United
Sates.
On one side, some environmentalists and health researchers point to the role of
gas in global warming and respiratory conditions like asthma. On the other,
conservatives have called it another “woke” outrage. One celebrity chef even
taped himself to a stove in protest.
Nevertheless, New York recently became the first US state to ban new
residential natural gas connections from 2026. This followed the 2022 Inflation
Reduction Act, which introduced financial incentives for homeowners to switch
from gas to electricity.
What are the arguments for a gas ban in Aotearoa New Zealand, then? Will it
make a difference to our emissions profile? And are we likely to see something
like the New York policy introduced?"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
