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Report 2024

Clearing the Air: How Cities Can Mitigate the Impacts of the Gas System

A guide to gas infrastructure and the municipal powers that can support a planned transition to clean energy.

Julia Eagles, Michael Bloomberg, Michael J. Walsh, Rebecca Leber

Institute for Market Transformation and Groundwork Data

Diagram of gas production, transmission, and distribution infrastructure.Expand figure
Diagram of gas production, transmission, and distribution infrastructure.

Clearing the Air, Figure 1.3: gas system infrastructure. IMT / Groundwork Data.

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Clearing the Air, Figure 1.3: gas system infrastructure. IMT / Groundwork Data.

This May 2024 report explains how gas networks are built, paid for, and regulated, then examines the tools available to city governments. It covers staffing, public buildings, data, building and zoning codes, health and safety powers, utility proceedings, and franchise agreements.

The authors recommend limiting gas expansion and reinvestment while planning how to reduce the network over time. The examples give city staff a starting point for action within their own authority.