Natural gas plays a vital role in achieving Colorado’s low-carbon energy future. Protecting energy choice is a key driver of our economy and helps families thrive. A diverse mix of energy sources, including natural gas, works together to provide affordable, reliable, and efficient energy that we can count on today and for generations to come. Coloradans should have the ability to choose the energy source that is best for their needs.
Coloradans Support Energy Choice
Nearly 80% of Coloradans want the ability to choose the type of energy and appliances for their home and business. This is important to the more than 2 million homes and businesses in Colorado that use natural gas for heating, water heating, cooking, and industrial processes. As Colorado continues to grow, access to all sources of energy helps our businesses prosper and families thrive. (EIA)
Many Colorado towns struggle with providing affordable housing for residents. A vital aspect of affordable housing is affordable energy. In 2024, the average monthly residential bill for Atmos Energy customers was $57.80. Enacting policies that restrict customer choice and mandate households and businesses to convert to electric appliances and equipment will have significant cost implications for the customer to heat their home, which is unfair to citizens who are already struggling to feed and care for their families on stretched budgets.
Winter in Colorado can be extremely cold, and having access to reliable energy is essential for the health and safety of residents. "Electrification", or migrating all energy use away from natural gas to only electricity, would jeopardize Colorado's energy reliability and leave homes and businesses dependent on only one energy source. It takes a diverse energy mix to help make sure that energy is there when it's needed.
What would be the impacts of eliminating natural gas in Colorado?
Average annual savings determined using GTI Energy’s “Energy Planning Analysis Tool” (EPAT), https://cmicepatcalc.gti.energy. All-Electric Cost for the analysis is based on 2024 EIA eGRID electric rates and Atmos Energy Colorado average rates for 2024. Gas and electric costs for this analysis assumes a 2,000 square foot home of a residential customer in Atmos Energy’s Colorado service territory with natural gas space heating, water heating, cooking range, and clothes drying appliances.
Average carbon savings determined using GTI Energy’s “Energy Planning Analysis Tool” (EPAT), https://cmicepatcalc.gti.energy. Analysis is based on 2022 EIA eGRID source generation electric emission factors and assumes a 2,000 square foot home of a residential customer in Atmos Energy’s Colorado service territory with natural gas space heating, water heating, cooking range, and clothes drying appliances.
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