STATE:

Why NFIB

Take Action

Get Support

Stay Informed

Podcast Podcast

Careers Careers

Join Now

Home / News /

NFIB TO ANN ARBOR: DO NOT BAN GAS APPLIANCES

March 1, 2023 Last Edit: March 19, 2026

NFIB TO ANN ARBOR: DO NOT BAN GAS APPLIANCES

On February 14, NFIB Michigan submitted comments to the Ann Arbor Planning Commission opposing an ordinance that would ban all gas appliance hook ups in newly built homes and businesses. Banning gas appliances in new construction is just one step that some lawmakers in Michigan and across the country are considering as a part of an extreme environmental agenda to eliminate all non-renewable forms of fuel. While this goal can be seen as laudable, it is widely considered by a variety of experts to be both dangerous and costly to do so at this point. Like many states, Michigan’s electrical infrastructure would require a major upgrade in order to accommodate the spike in usage that would come from eliminating gas appliances in homes and businesses as well as a ban on gas powered engines. Without this upgrade, mandates like the one proposed in Ann Arbor, could be disastrous to the city as well as surrounding areas. Being a northern state, adequate heating is a concern for a good portion of the year. Electric heating in homes and businesses, costs, on average, 65% more than natural gas. Between inflation and supply chain issues, let alone current fuel price increases, this jump in heating costs would be difficult for most small businesses to bear. Finally, recent winter storms have served as a clear reminder about the danger of depending solely on electricity for heat, cooking, or transportation. States like California, Oregon, New York, and others have all had discussed banning gas appliances in new construction and some of their cities, including New York City, have followed through. In addition, California has banned all small gas-powered engines, from cars to lawn mowers by 2024. In 2022, 95% of NFIB members gave a resounding NO when asked “Should states or local governments adopt ordinances which ban the use of types or sources of energy?” NFIB Michigan will continue to fight against costly mandates and regulations on fuel and advocate for policies that balance cost and reliability with environmental stewardship. >>> Read NFIB Michigan’s Comments HERE. <<<

Topics:

Regulations

State:

Michigan

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More

May 26, 2026

New NFIB Op-Ed: Unleash Small Business Growth in Additional Reconciliation Bill

New package should bolster small business success with crucial tax, regulatory, and healthcare reforms

May 26, 2026

NFIB California Main Street Minute, May 26-29

Where good bills go into but never come out of

Project meeting. Marketing team discussing new working plan. Laptop and paperwork in open space office

May 20, 2026

Reminder: 2026 Annual Filing Report Due June 30

Pennsylvania small business owners are required to file an Annual Report to the Pennsylvania Department of State. This is a new requirement that started in 202…

Man in a dark suit and blue polka-dot tie speaks during a live C-SPAN Washington Journal interview, with a cityscape backdrop visible behind him.

May 20, 2026

NFIB on C-SPAN: How Small Businesses are Managing Economic Pressures

A discussion on C-SPAN featuring an NFIB expert covers the current state of the small business economy and the top issues that are impacting Main Street.

NFIB TO ANN ARBOR: DO NOT BAN GAS APPLIANCES

Related Articles