Vote to approve natural gas heating in new homes puts Vancouver councillors on the hot seat [Video]

On Thursday, Vancouver city councillors will vote on final bylaw changes that, if approved, would allow home builders in the city to use natural gas for space and water heating in new homes.

It would be a reversal of current climate-friendly practices and council has already shown it’s split over the proposed change.

Since 2016, Vancouver has been on a path to gradually phase out natural gas for space and water heating in most new building types by 2025 because burning natural gas to heat space and water in buildings is the single largest source of carbon pollution in the city, according to materials from City of Vancouver staff.

In July, councillors voted 6-5, with Mayor Ken Sim casting the tie-breaking vote remotely from vacation in favour of  Coun. Brian Montague’s motion seeking the change.

Montague argued allowing natural gas for space and water heating would reduce barriers to building …