Ian Billick, a field biologist by profession and the mayor of Crested Butte, Colorado, has been at the forefront of a revolutionary movement to curb greenhouse gas emissions in his town. His initiative aimed to ban natural gas hookups in new constructions, thereby pushing for a drastic reduction in building-related pollution.
Crested Butte, a place that once thrived on coal mining, has evolved over the years to become a tourist hotspot. The town, home to around 1,500 residents, has a history steeped in fossil fuels, but under Billick’s leadership, it is taking strides towards a greener future.
Billick’s political platform and advocacy are deeply influenced by his concern for the potential impact of climate change on Crested Butte’s environment and economy. His proposal sought to replace natural gas, a significant source of greenhouse gas, with low-carbon electricity from renewable sources for heating and cooking in new buildings.
The proposal, however, did not go unopposed. Atmos Energy, Crested Butte’s natural gas provider, was among the dissenters. Despite their resistance, the town council showed unanimity in their fight against climate change and passed the natural gas ban in August 2022.
This move marked a pivotal moment for Crested Butte as it became Colorado’s first community to substitute natural gas with electricity in new constructions. This was achieved in the face of opposition from local utility companies like Atmos Energy, illustrating the town’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Atmos Energy has a history of opposing such green initiatives. They also resisted a similar proposal in Gunnison, Colorado, asserting that the switch from natural gas would increase local energy costs and contribute to climate pollution.
This resistance from utilities has been a concern for Colorado, prompting efforts to limit their lobbying activities via legislation. However, worries persist over their ability to obstruct green initiatives due to their monopolistic control and customer-funded income. Despite these challenges, Crested Butte’s successful implementation of the natural gas ban in new constructions sets a precedent for other Colorado communities to follow.
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