Colorado Voters to Decide on Constitutional 'Right to Natural Gas'
Colorado voters will consider Initiative 177, known as the "Right to Natural Gas," in November's state election. Proposed by the conservative nonprofit Advance Colorado, this ballot measure seeks to amend the state constitution to protect fossil fuel companies' ability to sell methane gas. If passed, it could restrict building codes that promote electrification and potentially require communities to reconsider existing policies aimed at reducing gas appliance use in new construction.
Colorado voters are slated to decide on a ballot measure in November's state election that proposes adding a "Right to Natural Gas" to the state constitution. The initiative, designated as Initiative 177, was submitted by Advance Colorado, a conservative nonprofit, on June 25 after gathering sufficient signatures to place it on the ballot.
The proposed amendment, which contains only 60 words, aims to enshrine the right of fossil fuel companies to sell methane gas. Its passage could potentially restrict building codes that encourage electrification and might compel communities that have sought to eliminate gas appliances from new construction to alter their current policies.
Observers have expressed concerns regarding the broad language of Initiative 177, suggesting it could make implementation by state agencies challenging to predict. There are also worries that the amendment could jeopardize Colorado’s efforts to achieve its climate goals.
According to Ars Technica, Advance Colorado wrote the measure and led the effort to gather the necessary signatures.
