INSIGHTSSERIES
Fossil Fuels | Natural Gas
March 2, 2026
State Actions Continue to Transform Long-Term Gas Utility Planning Strategies
From designating decarbonization zones to setting clean heat targets, recent actions are reshaping gas utility planning frameworks.
State efforts to modernize gas utility planning are reconfiguring regulatory frameworks to align with climate policies and energy transition goals. These actions prioritize…Read the full report
Key Takeaways
- California regulators have issued a decision designating initial priority neighborhood decarbonization zones – geographic areas for utility pilot projects that could transition entire neighborhoods from natural gas service to zero-emission alternatives.
- The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has set a 41 percent greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2035 for regulated gas utilities under the state’s Clean Heat Plan framework.
- The District of Columbia Government has proposed a gas planning framework designed to identify the least-cost, least-risk investments, resources and actions needed to meet district policies, including emissions reduction targets.
