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House committee hears bill to bar local bans on natural‑gas appliances
Summary
Representative Frisbie presented House Bill 4486 to prohibit local ordinances and policies that would prevent the use of natural‑gas appliances, prompting debate over local control, infrastructure implications and consumer choice. Witness cards showed support from builders and energy companies and opposition from county and environmental groups.
The House Energy Committee took testimony on House Bill 4486, sponsored by Representative Frisbie, which would void local ordinances, resolutions or policies adopted after the act that restrict the use of natural‑gas appliances.
"Who are we to tell a family how they can keep their families warm following an ice storm?" Frisbie said, arguing the bill protects consumer choice and lowers costs. Frisbie cited a U.S. Department of Energy analysis he said shows natural‑gas households have lower annual energy bills and lower emissions in some comparisons, and said local restrictions on gas appliances would add cost and reduce options for residents.
Members engaged in extended questioning about the bill’s relationship to local control. Vice Chair Tate asked whether any Michigan municipalities had enacted bans; Frisbie said Ann Arbor had considered an ordinance applying to new construction but had not enacted a ban statewide. Several members pressed whether the bill covers infrastructure as well as appliances; Frisbie said the bill addresses appliances and consumer choice, not gas infrastructure.
Rep. Myers Phillips and others emphasized apparent tensions between preemption and the committee’s previous deference to local zoning decisions on matters such as rooftop solar. Myers Phillips asked when local control is appropriate; Frisbie said the legislation is intended to preserve consumer choice where gas service already exists.
Multiple lawmakers raised concerns about system reliability and electrification trends. Members noted that roughly 55% of Michigan households have electric stoves (as cited in discussion), and one member said that if municipalities limit gas connections it could influence where utility infrastructure is built. Frisbie argued converting existing gas homes to electric could impose several thousand dollars in retrofit costs on homeowners if municipalities curtail gas appliance use.
The committee clerk read witness cards indicating support from the United Wholesale Association (UWA), Home Builders Association of Michigan, TC Energy, NFIB and Consumer Energy; opposition cards were filed by the Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan Township Association, Michigan Environmental Council, Sierra Club and Evergreen Action. Several of the opposing filings objected on grounds of local control, climate policy and municipal authority.
Committee members asked technical and policy questions but did not record a committee vote on House Bill 4486 during the hearing.
Ending: The chair moved to the next agenda item after oral testimony and card reads.
