Gas Utilities' Fight Against Climate Protection Just Beginning, As Colorado Towns Discovered

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In public hearings and private meetings, the Dallas-based company argued the city's plan would restrict consumer choice and further increase the community's high cost of living. The utility further claimed that the newest generation of heat pumps — an efficient source of electric heating and cooling — couldn't handle the harsh mountain climate's cold temperatures and high elevation. Researchers and installers say that's not true.

Ed. - emphasis added. Also, as if . . .

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Shortly before Crested Butte approved its gas ban, Gunnison proposed a more modest plan to encourage a gradual transition away from fossil fuels. Rather than banning gas hookups in new construction, the city floated a building code update with an option to require wiring and plugs so future residents could easily switch from gas to electric appliances. Atmos Energy quickly launched a multipronged campaign to defeat the policy. CPR News and NPR reviewed communications between Atmos and local officials, which were obtained through a public records request by the Energy and Policy Institute, and first reported by High Country News.

In September 2022, the company sent an email to local residents warning the plan would make housing less affordable, restrict energy choices and even increase climate-warming emissions. The email told residents that natural gas could help the community meet a "low-carbon future" and encouraged them to attend an upcoming town meeting and voice their opinions on the proposed rule.

Local leaders later found problems with the utility's claims. In a follow-up email to local government officials, John Cattles, a Gunnison County sustainability official, noted Atmos had overestimated the local cost of electricity by roughly 50%. He further found the company seemed to base its price estimates on traditional electric resistance heaters, which are far less energy-efficient than the electric heat pumps currently being installed.

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https://www.npr.org/2023/12/21/1220798642/how-a-utility-company-fought-to-keep-two-colorado-towns-hooked-on-fossil-fuels