Berkeley Natural Gas Tax Initiative Aims To Skirt Hook-Up Ban Court Loss

A proposed voter initiative by Berkeley, CA, to impose a hefty new tax on natural gas used by large buildings aims to decrease consumption of the fossil fuel while avoiding a potential court loss similar to a 2023 ruling that overturned the city’s ban on new gas hookups to homes and commercial buildings. “Cities are allowed to assess taxes approved by voters,” states a FAQ page on the website of Fossil Free Berkeley, the group organizing the measure identified as...