From Mother Jones · Rachel Santarsiero · · 2m
Colorado voters reject gas constitutional right
Colorado voters defeated Amendment 82, a constitutional right to natural gas proposal backed by dark money groups.
In brief
Colorado voters defeated Amendment 82, a constitutional right to natural gas proposal backed by dark money groups. Colorado voters rejected Amendment 82, a constitutional amendment that would have enshrined a right to natural gas, by over 7 points. Originally reported by Mother Jones.
Colorado voters reject gas constitutional right
Coloradans voted last week to reject Amendment 82, a constitutional amendment that would have enshrined a right to natural gas in their state constitution.
Amendment 82 defeat margin
Voters rejected Amendment 82 by a margin of more than 7 points.
Amendment 82 purpose
Amendment 82 would have codified the right of consumers to purchase natural gas and for utilities to sell it.
Amendment 82 impact
The measure’s defeat was a setback for the fossil fuel industry championed by the Trump administration.
Colorado’s climate goals
Colorado has committed to zeroing out net greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century and invested in renewable energy.
Advance Colorado
Advance Colorado, a conservative advocacy group led by Michael Fields, promoted natural gas as a constitutional right.
Advance Colorado claims
Advance Colorado claimed natural gas is "one of the cleanest energy sources available today" and that transitioning away from it would raise costs.
Health risks of gas
Gas-fueled household appliances release harmful byproducts including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and benzene.
Colorado law on gas stoves
Colorado passed a law requiring gas-stove manufacturers to affix health warnings similar to cigarette packs.
Industry lawsuit
Industry groups sued to challenge Colorado’s gas-stove labeling law, though many companies have warnings on their websites.
Sierra Club’s view
The Sierra Club’s Colorado chapter says coloradans already have access to gas and it is not currently being jeopardized.
“We usually think of natural rights as being for people and not resources.”
Conservation Colorado’s view
Conservation Colorado’s CEO says Amendment 82 would have been an existential threat to Colorado’s energy future.
“It seemed to be an attempt to lock in a fuel of the past and the profits that go with it.”
Amendment 82 consequences
Amendment 82 would have limited state or local governments’ ability to enforce natural gas regulations.
National industry effort
26 states have passed "fuel choice" legislation prohibiting bans on gas appliances in new construction.
Dark money funding
Advance Colorado received contributions from conservative groups including GOPAC Election Fund and Common Sense for America.
The takeaway
Colorado voters rejected Amendment 82, a constitutional amendment that would have enshrined a right to natural gas, by over 7 points.
