Written by: Salma Al-Saqqa
Voters in the U.S. state of Colorado are heading to the polls to decide on a constitutional proposal titled Amendment 82, which aims to establish the right of consumers to purchase natural gas for cooking and heating purposes, as well as to guarantee the right of distributors and utility companies to sell it to homes and commercial businesses.
A non-profit organization introduced this amendment with the goal of protecting consumer choices and traditional heating methods that the majority of households in the state rely on, especially during the winter and during power outages, asserting that renewable energy sources alone cannot replace base-load and stationary power plants.
Conversely, this amendment raises concerns among opponents and environmental and health organizations who warn of its potential repercussions; critics argue that granting the oil and gas sector constitutional protection may restrict the ability of local and state governments to impose environmental regulations or limit drilling activities near residential communities.
Opponents of the amendment have also expressed concerns about the potential economic impacts on ratepayers, warning of the possibility that consumers may have to bear the costs of natural gas infrastructure regardless of whether they wish to use it or not, at a time when some local authorities in the state are seeking to achieve climate goals and reduce emissions.
Passing the amendment and adding it to the state constitution requires approval from more than fifty-five percent of the voters, in accordance with the constitutional mechanisms in place in several states across the country.
