This year the Texas Legislature took a crucial step to ensure families and small business owners, not politicians or activists, maintain full control of which energy sources and products they can utilize and purchase.
Companion bills SB 1017 by Senator Brian Birdwell and HB 2374 by Representative Brooks Landgraf prevent a “political subdivision” (for example, a city or county government) from adopting or enforcing an “ordinance, order, regulation, or similar measure that limits access to an energy source,” or passing a law that “prohibits or restricts the use, sale, or lease of an engine based on its fuel source.”
“Oil and natural gas are an essential part of meeting the energy needs of both our state and nation. California-style restrictions on engines or fuel sources that limit consumers and business owners from being able to access the energy sources they need have no place in Texas,” Senator Birdwell said.
This legislation was filed in response to laws passed in California and New York. In 2021, California put a ban on the sale of gas-powered lawn equipment, generators, and other small engines. The following year, California went a step further, banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. And in May of this year, New York became the first state to ban natural gas stoves and furnaces in most new buildings.
“I’m committed to defending the rights and liberties of every Texan, especially the hard-working West Texans who elected me to be their voice in the Texas House,” Representative Landgraf said of the bill. “West Texas might be the last place on earth where someone might try to ban gasoline-power engines, but many who live and work in some large Texas cities are seeing the engine ban train coming down the tracks to the detriment of their families and businesses. HB 2374 will serve as bulwark against politicians who want to undermine the individual liberties of Texans.”
Supporters of the Texas legislation say the laws passed in California and New York would place undue burdens if adopted in Texas. Residents would be vulnerable to energy disruptions and higher bills and the possibility of needing to replace costly appliances.
“I’m about to sign a law to protect energy choice in Texas,” Governor Abbott said as he signed the legislation into law in May, which becomes effective September 1 of this year. “No city or county in the state can pass an ordinance that can deny your ability to use things like a gasoline lawn mower, to go to a gasoline station, or to access natural gas for your home or appliances.”
Texas joins at least ten other states that have passed legislation securing energy choice for its residents.
“Oil and natural gas are irreplaceable in making our modern lives not only possible, but undeniably better,” said Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association. “Misguided attempts to ban the use of particular types of engines or even specific fuel sources only serve to disrupt the lives of consumers and business owners who rely on affordable, reliable energy sources. TXOGA thanks Senator Birdwell and Representative Landgraf for filing this important legislation and we look forward to our continued work with the Legislature to protect energy choice.”
Companion bills SB 1017 by Senator Brian Birdwell and HB 2374 by Representative Brooks Landgraf prevent a “political subdivision” (for example, a city or county government) from adopting or enforcing an “ordinance, order, regulation, or similar measure that limits access to an energy source,” or passing a law that “prohibits or restricts the use, sale, or lease of an engine based on its fuel source.”
“Oil and natural gas are an essential part of meeting the energy needs of both our state and nation. California-style restrictions on engines or fuel sources that limit consumers and business owners from being able to access the energy sources they need have no place in Texas,” Senator Birdwell said.
This legislation was filed in response to laws passed in California and New York. In 2021, California put a ban on the sale of gas-powered lawn equipment, generators, and other small engines. The following year, California went a step further, banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. And in May of this year, New York became the first state to ban natural gas stoves and furnaces in most new buildings.
“I’m committed to defending the rights and liberties of every Texan, especially the hard-working West Texans who elected me to be their voice in the Texas House,” Representative Landgraf said of the bill. “West Texas might be the last place on earth where someone might try to ban gasoline-power engines, but many who live and work in some large Texas cities are seeing the engine ban train coming down the tracks to the detriment of their families and businesses. HB 2374 will serve as bulwark against politicians who want to undermine the individual liberties of Texans.”
Supporters of the Texas legislation say the laws passed in California and New York would place undue burdens if adopted in Texas. Residents would be vulnerable to energy disruptions and higher bills and the possibility of needing to replace costly appliances.
“I’m about to sign a law to protect energy choice in Texas,” Governor Abbott said as he signed the legislation into law in May, which becomes effective September 1 of this year. “No city or county in the state can pass an ordinance that can deny your ability to use things like a gasoline lawn mower, to go to a gasoline station, or to access natural gas for your home or appliances.”
Texas joins at least ten other states that have passed legislation securing energy choice for its residents.
“Oil and natural gas are irreplaceable in making our modern lives not only possible, but undeniably better,” said Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association. “Misguided attempts to ban the use of particular types of engines or even specific fuel sources only serve to disrupt the lives of consumers and business owners who rely on affordable, reliable energy sources. TXOGA thanks Senator Birdwell and Representative Landgraf for filing this important legislation and we look forward to our continued work with the Legislature to protect energy choice.”
