American Gas Foundation study evaluates future of natural gas in multi-family units

In a study published on Thursday titled “Expanding Natural Gas Service to Multifamily Buildings,” the American Gas Foundation evaluated various efforts by state and local governments, natural gas utilities and interest groups to provide natural gas service to multi-family dwellings.

The study drew together information on work by different groups, analyzing the challenges faced in regulations and legislation, and offering potential solutions for consideration.

“Multifamily construction is projected to sustain a high share of new housing construction over the next 20 years,” Kathryn Clay, executive director of the American Gas Foundation, said. “There are enormous benefits for providing access to natural gas in multi-family buildings—both for the environment and for the bottom line of the people that inhabit them. Understanding that multi-family buildings are made up of a wide-range of building types with unique characteristics and needs is critical when looking to expand natural gas service to this growing market.”

Over the past 10 years, the construction of multi-family dwellings has risen from less than 25 percent to at least one-third of newly built residential units. Introducing natural gas service to these residences would result in a reduction of more than 20 million tons of CO2 nationwide, and $2.2 billion in savings on residential energy bills – a reduction of approximately six percent of current expenditures for multifamily units nationwide.