Bacon's Rebellion

Democracy Thrives in Sunlight

Richmond Leader Opposes Right to Gas Bill

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by

Steve Haner
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Pending Termination

by Steve Haner

“I hope the General Assembly will reaffirm its confidence in localities to make these critical decisions on behalf of our residents.”

So said Richmond City Council member Katherine Jordan in opposition to pending legislation that would establish in law a right for Virginians to use natural gas and require localities that wish to close their own gas utilities to instead sell them.

The problem is, the council resolution Jordan sponsored back in September expressing the city’s desire to close the Richmond Gas Works does not just affect her “residents.” The 120,000 customers include homes and businesses in Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties.

The bill faces a key floor vote in the House of Delegates today and then again Monday. After months of silence, Jordan is the first Richmond leader to publicly speak about the bill, in this case to Virginia Mercury. This is also the first major story on the issue besides coverage here, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch remains missing in action on the story, a huge one for its readership.

Jordan further told the Mercury it was “concerning that there’s an effort to take away the agency of localities to regulate utilities for the benefit of public health, affordability and environmental sustainability.” Translation: The resolution was not just a virtue signal, but part of the plan.

It is time for sleepy Virginia voters to wake up to what the anti-fossil-fuel movement has in store for them. They want no use of natural gas or even propane in homes or businesses. They want no use of gasoline, diesel or even super-clean compressed natural gas in vehicles or power tools. And of course they want our power grid dependent on wind, solar and related batteries, with almost no reliable baseload.

The majority of people may indeed understand what is going on and support it. Polling indicates otherwise. But likely most have not focused on it because the discussion always pushes the deadlines to “by 2035” or even “by 2050.”

On the immediate question at hand, any doubt that Richmond City Council has the Richmond Gas Works in the crosshairs has been removed.

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20 responses to “Richmond Leader Opposes Right to Gas Bill”

  1. James A. Bacon Avatar
    James A. Bacon

    I don’t know how much momentum Richmond City Council has behind its demented idea, but as a resident of Henrico County, I hope elected officials in Henrico are paying attention. Henrico and Chesterfield need to state loudly and clearly that a unilateral action by City Council to shut down the gas utility and strand tens of thousands of county gas customers would be regarded as an act of municipal war and will be responded to commensurately.

    Henrico needs to take this seriously. First, county officials need to do everything in their power, through suasion, lawsuits or threats of retaliation, to prevent Richmond from shutting down its gas utility. Second, they need to develop a fallback plan in case Richmond proceeds regardless.

    Thankfully, much of the gas infrastructure in Henrico is untouchable. Richmond has no authority to rip our gas pipes out of the ground. But we’ll need to develop our own sources of supply and storage.

    1. David Wojick Avatar
      David Wojick

      Think propane.

      1. Nancy Naive Avatar
        Nancy Naive

        Think sauerkraut and onions on a chilli-cheese dog.

        1. Matt Adams Avatar
          Matt Adams

          With our without mustard?

          1. Nancy Naive Avatar
            Nancy Naive

            Jalapeño mustard, which I discovered this year is a thing.

          2. Matt Adams Avatar
            Matt Adams

            If you like “spiced condiments”, I suggest “Mike’s Hot Honey”.

          3. Nancy Naive Avatar
            Nancy Naive

            Since I retired and have taken the responsibility for groceries, I have become convinced — no proof, mind you — that the head of USDA is that guy you saw at the end of a campus party scraping leftovers onto a plate to eat and filling his cup with the dregs from the empties left about. The selection of “mixed tastes” on the shelves is remarkable. Seriously, 20 varieties of Pringles?

            Bet that spiced honey would dress up a peanut butter sandwich.

    2. Stephen Haner Avatar
      Stephen Haner

      The various private firms would vie for the territory. But of course that won’t Save The Planet so not the outcome Richmond wants.

  2. David Wojick Avatar
    David Wojick

    Do your lawmakers vote three times on every bill? I can think of a way to cut that workload by two thirds.

    1. Stephen Haner Avatar
      Stephen Haner

      You are fascinated by our process! Yes, the bill is “read” three times on three different days. First reading it is printed in the calendar and the clerk reads the title. Second reading it is open for full debate, substitutes or amendments, and once that is done, the final version is “engrossed” by a voice vote. Third reading is the final recorded roll call. Process can be accelerated but takes a super majority.

    2. tmtfairfax Avatar
      tmtfairfax

      I believe that most state legislatures “read” a bill three times. I remember back in college working for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, where I was tasked with following certain bills for the Department and sitting in gallery of either the House or the Senate, notepad in hand, listening to the presiding offer read the bills. The first time, the title was read, and a committee referral made. The second reading just the bill number was read when the bill left committee. (More committee referrals are possible.) Third reading meant the chamber was going to debate and consider the bill.

  3. WayneS Avatar
    WayneS

    I assume you used the term “Leader” in the loosest possible sense…

    1. Stephen Haner Avatar
      Stephen Haner

      I am aware of a letter sent by a Henrico elected official to Hizzoner Stoney months ago, seeking clarification on this issue, which was never answered. At least not the last time I checked. With his silence, I’ll take Jordan as the spokesperson.

      I’m really surprised this hasn’t started the usual BR argument over Dillon’s Rule. This is a pretty classic example of why many of us don’t want to give local governments carte blanche.

      1. WayneS Avatar
        WayneS

        I have had dealings with several, perhaps even numerous*, local governments – boards of supervisors, town councils and city councils.

        My experiences have led me to conclude that for the most part the last thing we should do is give those people more power.

        —————————————

        * Is sixteen still considered several or does it qualify for an upgrade to numerous?

        1. Matt Adams Avatar
          Matt Adams

          You could always refer to them as a “glut”, which by the sounds of it would be applicable in more than one way.

  4. David Wojick Avatar
    David Wojick

    On a related issue:
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/08/rightwing-lobby-alec-blacklist-companies-boycott-oil-industry

    Any talk in Virginia about this sort of state ban on O&G investment boycotts?

  5. David Wojick Avatar
    David Wojick

    This ban on gas bans bill advanced today, as did HB 73.

  6. disqus_VYLI8FviCA Avatar
    disqus_VYLI8FviCA

    The stupidity of the anti-fossil fuel crowd never ceases to amaze. Let’s dismantle the foundation of advanced society one ban at a time. Reliable, affordable energy is the bedrock of our economy and our society. There is no replacement for how we provide energy today. When there is the free market will produce it, not some ridiculous, capricious ban. The Chinese must laugh themselves silly at the antics of environmentalists like Katherine Jordan.

  7. Eric the half a troll Avatar
    Eric the half a troll

    “None of the prohibitions have extended to existing hookups, and to date no states have adopted sweeping gas restrictions. That may soon change: New York Democrats plan to propose a statewide prohibition on new gas hookups this year.

    In Virginia, gas bans made little headway until recently. This September, Richmond City Council passed a climate resolution that among its many provisions committed the body “to working with the city’s administration on an equitable plan to phase out reliance on gas and shift to accelerated investment in city-owned renewable energy.”

    Furthermore, the resolution said, the council “hereby recognizes that the continued operation of the city’s gas utility is an obstacle to the city’s goal of net-zero emissions.”

    But while the resolution turned heads, it was also non-binding — that is, it didn’t require City Council to take any concrete steps to divest the city’s gas utility or restrict new gas hookups.”

    Non-binding resolution, phase out reliance on gas, not extended to existing services… you can tell JAB his neighbors’ gas logs are safe…

  8. Eric the half a troll Avatar
    Eric the half a troll

    “None of the prohibitions have extended to existing hookups, and to date no states have adopted sweeping gas restrictions. That may soon change: New York Democrats plan to propose a statewide prohibition on new gas hookups this year.

    In Virginia, gas bans made little headway until recently. This September, Richmond City Council passed a climate resolution that among its many provisions committed the body “to working with the city’s administration on an equitable plan to phase out reliance on gas and shift to accelerated investment in city-owned renewable energy.”

    Furthermore, the resolution said, the council “hereby recognizes that the continued operation of the city’s gas utility is an obstacle to the city’s goal of net-zero emissions.”

    But while the resolution turned heads, it was also non-binding — that is, it didn’t require City Council to take any concrete steps to divest the city’s gas utility or restrict new gas hookups.”

    Non-binding resolution, phase out reliance on gas, not extended to existing services… you can tell JAB his neighbors’ gas logs are safe…

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