PG&E First Major Utility to Support State Bans on Natural Gas

PG&E Corp. has become the first gas and electric investor-owned utility to come out in support of California’s bans on natural gas in future construction projects.

Berkeley, Calif., last July became the first city in the U.S. to ban natural gas hookups in new buildings in an effort to curb fossil fuel emissions. Dozens of other cities in California, and elsewhere, followed.

In response, states more friendly to the gas and oil sector, like Louisiana and Arizona, have swung in the opposite direction, blocking any municipalities from enforcing similar bans.

The oil, gas, and restaurant industries have so ...