Fact check: No, Kansas City’s new climate plan doesn’t ban gas stoves—or any natural gas use
Kansas City’s newest climate plan passed through committee on Wednesday, bringing the city one step closer to its goal of reducing carbon emissions and committing to sustainability.
The plan includes a stated goal of citywide carbon neutrality by the year 2040. In order to get there, the plan recommends a shift towards electrification of utilities in order to prioritize clean energy over fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas.
There’s been some confusion over what the plan says about natural gas in residents’ homes and favorite restaurants. Here’s what’s really going on.
Does the climate plan ban natural gas?
No. The Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan encourages a shift towards electricity so that renewable energy can be more easily used by the city. These efforts hope to be funded with federal money from sources like the Inflation Reduction Act. However, it does not place restrictions or “bans” on any type of energy source. In fact, Missouri law prohibits any municipality from banning certain types of energy outright.
Will I still be able to use natural gas in my home if the plan passes?
Yes. The plan mainly offers suggestions for new buildings, not for homes and businesses that already exist. On top of that, the plan doesn’t mandate electric heating, stove tops and other appliances — it just recommends that new buildings be wired for all-electric power so that electrification will be easier in the future.
“They’re not saying that you can no longer use your gas stoves in your restaurant. They’re not saying that you have to change your apartments from gas to electric,” said City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, District 3, at Wednesday’s committee meeting. “In order for us to meet the Paris Climate Agreement, we tasked this group with telling us how to get there.”
Will the climate plan ban barbecue grills?
No. Anyone who uses natural gas to cook right now will be free to continue using natural gas indefinitely. While the city may recommend a shift towards electrification so that residents and businesses can more easily utilize green power like wind and solar energy, it cannot put a blanket ban on any type of power.
“If a restaurant wants to use natural gas from now until Hades freezes over, they are more than free to do that,” Councilwoman Katheryn Shields, District 4 at-large, said at Wednesday’s meeting.
What does the climate plan actually say?
You can read the June version of the climate plan here. Several amendments were made on Wednesday in order to help the plan pass through committee. These included replacing the term “clean electricity” with “clean energy” in order to appease Evergy and Spire, who worried that natural gas was being excluded.
The “Energy Supply” portion of the plan emphasizes a gradual transition toward wind and solar power, but does not cap natural gas usage or ban residents from using this power source.
Will electrification cause more harmful emissions?
Ideally, no. Right now, Evergy supplies electricity from a number of sources, including coal power plants that release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Part of the city’s climate plan includes working with Evergy to shut down its fossil fuel powered plants and replace them with clean energy options like solar and wind farms.
What immediate impact would the climate plan have on my life?
If passed, the Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan would not have an immediate impact on your life. You may start seeing solar panels pop up on roofs in your neighborhood, be able to apply for grants to make your home more energy efficient or notice more public transportation options like new bus lines emerging.
Overall, the plan is a series of recommendations rather than hard and fast policies. It will help shape how the city responds to the climate crisis moving forward, but would not immediately mandate any lifestyle changes from individual residents or businesses.
Do you have more questions about the Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published August 25, 2022 at 12:06 PM.
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