CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A measure that would crack down on carbon emissions in newly constructed Chicago buildings is set to be introduced at the City Council meeting February 1.
David Kolata with the Citizens Utility Board said the ordinance isn't a ban, but rather an emissions standard.
"And so I think from an environmental and a public health sector perspective, it's really important that, that we have this emission standard, so we start basically improving pollution here in the city of Chicago."
Crain's Chicago Business reports that the measure proposes new buildings in Chicago to fuel heat and cooking with electricity instead of natural gas.
Kolata said this would save consumers money because electric heat pumps are cheaper than fossil fuel heat.
"We expect that there will be thousands and tens of thousands of dollars in savings, right off the bat, for that new construction for new buildings."
People's Gas said it opposes the ordinance and that "it costs up to $60,000 to convert a single home to an electric heat pump."
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