The Trump administration launched a new legal offensive Monday, suing two Northern California cities over their natural gas bans in new buildings, despite local officials claiming they’ve already stopped enforcing the restrictions.
The Department of Justice filed the lawsuit against Morgan Hill and Petaluma in U.S. District Court, challenging ordinances that prohibit natural gas infrastructure in new construction — policies the administration characterized as “outright illegal” and harmful to American families.
Cities Already Backing Down
The legal challenge targets Morgan Hill’s 2019 prohibition, which took effect in March 2020, and Petaluma’s more expansive 2021 all-electric ordinance that extended to substantial building renovations, according to reports from local media.
What’s puzzling about the timing? Both cities have already stopped enforcing these bans following a significant 2023 ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that struck down Berkeley’s similar natural gas prohibition. The court found Berkeley’s law violated the 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
“Morgan Hill follows federal law, and we will continue to do so,” city officials stated in response to the lawsuit, maintaining they’ve been in compliance with the circuit court ruling for months.
Administration’s Energy Agenda
The Justice Department’s complaint seeks both a declaration that the bans are preempted by federal law and a permanent injunction against their enforcement. Attorney General Pamela Bondi didn’t mince words in a statement, saying, “Alongside the Department of Energy, the Department of Justice is working around the clock to end radical environmentalist policies, restore common sense, and unleash American energy.”
At the heart of the administration’s argument is the claim that natural gas bans target everyday appliances that millions of Americans rely on. “These policies reflect a radical effort to outlaw federally regulated gas stoves, furnaces, water heaters, dryers, and other appliances that American families rely on every day,” the DOJ asserted.
The administration has framed the issue as one of affordability and reliability. “Especially during winter, Americans deserve reliable, affordable energy,” the Justice Department declared, suggesting the all-electric mandates drive up costs for consumers.
Broader Legal Campaign
This isn’t an isolated case. The lawsuit against Morgan Hill and Petaluma represents part of a larger effort by the administration to challenge local energy policies across the country. The Justice Department has also filed in support of a challenge to New York City’s similar natural gas restrictions.
The legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between federal energy policy and local climate initiatives. Many California cities have adopted all-electric building codes as part of their strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with natural gas combustion in buildings representing a significant source of carbon emissions.
For now, residents of these communities remain caught between competing visions of America’s energy future — one that embraces the electrification of buildings as a climate solution, and another that views natural gas as an essential component of energy affordability and consumer choice.
