(The Center Square) – Analysis by the Consumer Energy Alliance says a potential natural gas ban in Illinois would cost the average homeowner tens of thousands of dollars.
In 2024, state Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, proposed a bill to ban natural gas in new buildings. A Chicago alderman, Maria Hadden, introduced similar legislation backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson around the same time.
Marc Brown, vice president of state affairs for the Consumer Energy Alliance, said forced electrification would cost $55,000 for the average single-family home.
“That includes when you’re redoing your panel, heat pumps, changing out a gas furnace, all your appliances,” Brown told The Center Square.
Citing data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the CEA said forced electrification could increase Illinois utility bills by $7.6 billion statewide or about $2,631 per household.
“When it comes to electric heating, it’s a little bit more expensive than gas, so that drives up energy bills,” Brown added.
Brown said the move to ban natural gas is ideological, but most people do not support it.
“They don’t want to be told what to do. I think it just comes from the fringe when it comes to these draconian mandates,” Brown said.
Brown said costs would rise even more if proposed bans were expanded to include the manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
According to the CEA, Illinois manufacturers consume over 25% of the state’s natural gas. The state’s agricultural community relies on natural gas for crop drying.
Brown said other issues include rising electricity demand and warnings about grid reliability.
“Adding this layer of increased electricity load on top of that, we’re seeing a little too much for the electricity grid,” Brown said.
According to regional grid operator PJM, energy is getting more expensive.
“The reason is very simple: Supply is decreasing on the system and demand is increasing. This is happening not just in PJM but all over the country,” PJM told The Center Square in a statement last month.
PJM said the decreased supply is primarily due to state and federal decarbonization policies and some economics, including the proliferation of data centers and the advancement of artificial intelligence.
Brown said gas industry improvements have fueled decreasing energy-related carbon emissions in the U.S. while other countries experienced increases.
“Natural gas is very clean. Companies have drastically reduced methane leakage on the distribution pipeline system like 80-90% over the past 20-30 years,” Brown said.
The Environmental Defense Fund and Sierra Club Illinois chapter did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The CEA said banning or restricting natural gas could deepen energy poverty and compromise grid reliability.
“Instead of eliminating energy choice, Illinois should embrace a diverse and balanced approach to powering Illinois’ families, farmers and businesses,” the report concluded.
