Abbott signs HB 17 to protect natural gas as fuel source

Gov. Greg Abbott has signed HB 17 into law, prohibiting Texas cities from banning natural gas as a fuel source for new construction and utility services.

House Bill 17 is a response to a trend in progressive California cities.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont, argued that banning natural gas would restrict consumer choices. Deshotel was not immediately available for comment Tu…