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A letter was sent to Council in July 2025 based on the information contained in this article
The Goulburn Group has some concerns regarding the provision of methane gas to new homes in the council’s geographical and political responsibility. At the present time some States and several Councils are seriously considering the introduction of legislation prohibiting the installation of methane gas appliances in new builds. It is established that methane gas will be needed for some years to come for industrial applications and gas fired power stations using technology known as “peak shaving” to ensure power is available 24/7. Peak Shaving involves the use of gas turbines that can be started and brought on line in under 15 minutes. This use of methane gas for these applications is not disputed although its use is certain to decline as more renewables (solar, wind, hydro) and more “big batteries” are installed to store power for use at peak times. Renewable energy is proving to be much cheaper than fossil fuels and it may surprise you to learn that in the US, Texas a Republican state, generates a greater share of its electrical power from renewables than California, a Democratic state. Clearly politics has nothing to do with the decision to phase out fossil fuel powered generators it is purely an economic argument. It is true that the environmental impact of renewable energy, in particular carbon dioxide and other green house gas pollutants is reduced by adopting renewable energy sources but the economic argument is a very strong one without this consideration. Methane gas is itself a powerful greenhouse gas, and over a 20 year period can be 80 times as potent in warming as carbon dioxide. Pipeline leaks and gas appliances themselves can emit a considerable amount of methane into the atmosphere. Another consideration is the plastic (PE and PVC) piping used for gas systems, which is generally believed to have a lifetime of about 50 years. Domestic appliances such as gas hobs release noxious gases such as NOx (nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide) and even formaldehyde. Research has shown that benzene, a carcinogen, can be released even when the hob is not in use. Furthermore, research has shown that one in eight childhood asthma cases have been linked to gas hobs.
The Guardian newspaper reported in January 2023 that the US Consumer Product Safety Commission was considering banning gas hobs. The decision to install gas appliances in new homes has to be considered in terms of consumer safety, costs, convenience, choice, reliability and environmental impact. Apart from the health issues already mentioned above regarding gas hobs, the use of un-flued gas room heaters is particularly hazardous as these can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Flued gas heaters, combined with a ducted air conditioner are a popular choice with builders in new builds. These are often part of a “deal” where the equipment is practically free to the builder thus ensuring the occupier is “tied” into a contract with gas as the energy source. The heater is often in the roof space and probably not maintained as well as it should be, particularly in rented accommodation. Domestic hot water (DHW) is usually provided by a small instantaneous gas water heater on an external wall. Hence heating, DHW, cooking and possibly an un-flued room heater are all sourced by methane gas equipment and at the mercy of rising gas prices for the life of the equipment, possibly many years.
The above situation can be compared with a more consumer and environmentally friendly solution offered by solar panels and home battery. Currently government grants are available for home owners to install these. This would mean that for the majority of homes, other than apartments, provision could be made for home heating by reverse cycle air conditioning. The DHW could be catered for by heat pumps or solar water heaters, with electric boost; while the hob could be induction type. It’s true that induction cookers require special utensils but this is a small sacrifice compared with the safety advantages offered by a hob that doesn’t get hot!
In addition homeowners of the near future will have electric vehicles (if they don’t already) and will be charging these at home by choice, using solar energy. The issue of choice is often used as an argument to stop legislation against the provision of gas in new builds. However it is surely unfair tying homeowners into a virtual gas monopoly when there are more economical, modern and convenient methods of providing energy to homes that are also environmentally friendly too.
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