Advocacy Update

Forrest Wall March 2021WRITTEN BY HBA AND AAM CEO, FORREST M. WALL, CAE

Legislation Protecting New Natural Gas Infrastructure Introduced
Three bills protecting against local efforts to ban new natural gas infrastructure or appliances have been introduced in the Michigan Legislature. Sen. Joe Bellino (R-16th District) and Rep. Dale Zorn (R-34th District) have introduced bills – one in the Michigan Senate and one in the Michigan House – to support the continued availability of natural gas for new construction and existing buildings. Senate Bill 10 and House Bill 4036 would prohibit local governments from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, resolution, or policy which prohibits the use of natural gas or the installation of natural gas infrastructure. Also on the Senate side, Sen. Michelle Hoitenga (R-36th District), has introduced Senate Bill 41, which would prevent any local unit of government from adopting, maintaining, or enforcing an ordinance prohibiting the use of gas appliances in new or existing residential buildings. These bills have come in response to local discussions, like those in Ann Arbor’s A2Zero Plan, which seek a mandate for new buildings to be constructed without gas lines as a part of programs seeking carbon neutrality.

This issue is also seeing legal action in other parts of the country. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently overturned the City of Berkeley’s (CA) ban on the installation of natural gas piping in new buildings. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) filed amicus briefs in this case at both the district court and appellate court. Importantly, the decision only stops Berkeley from banning the extension of gas lines inside a building, but does not touch on gas delivery from a utility to gas meters.

Have A Builder’s License? Remember Your Continuing Competency
Some AAM Members hold a Michigan Residential Builder License even though they may not be currently building. If you wish to maintain your license, please remember that the State of Michigan requires you to complete three hours of “continuing competency” by your license renewal deadline of May 31, 2023. AAM and HBA are holding three hour classes (covering each of the required categories – one hour codes, one hour legal and one hour safety) which will provide you what you need to comply. Visit builders.org for class dates and online registration.

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