The Chautauqua County Legislature voted 15-3 to support Rep. Nick Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act, which would permit natural gas be used for new construction. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

County lawmakers are going on record in support of a federal proposal that would block New York state’s efforts to ban natural gas, although the support is not unanimous.

During the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, officials voted 15-3 in favor of a resolution in support of Rep. Nick Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act and in opposition to government-mandated natural gas bans.

Voting against the resolution were legislators Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia; Fred Larson, D-Jamestown, and Tom Nelson, D-Jamestown.

Only Nelson spoke out against the federal legislation.

The state is banning natural gas or other fossil fuel hook ups for new construction in 2026 for smaller buildings and 2029 for larger buildings.

Langworthy and Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia introduced federal legislation that “ensures state and local governments cannot restrict consumer access to natural gas and other affordable energy sources, thereby protecting freedom of choice for all New Yorkers and all Americans.”

Many municipalities around Chautauqua County have been passing motions of support of Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act.

On Wednesday, the legislature introduced the legislation as an “emergency resolution,” noting that the federal government is expected to begin discussing the bill before the county legislature’s October meeting.

During the debate before the vote, Nelson said while he understands the concerns raised regarding the state’s natural gas ban, he couldn’t back the resolution as written.

“I don’t agree with the statement in the resolution that says natural gas is clean burning. In my opinion, the Climate Leadership and Protection Act sets some aggressive goals and it may feel out of reach sometimes, but I think that it’s a worthy cause and I think it’s worthy of our best efforts,” Nelson said.

Fellow Democrat Bob Bankoski of Dunkirk disagreed.

“If you’re building a new house and you’re going to have to have electric, we have an abundance of natural gas in our area. I think it should be left up to the person building the home,” he said.

Scudder said although he supports Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act, he felt that this resolution would not have any impact with Chautauqua County officials backing it.

Because of this, he said he would not vote in favor of it or any future legislation that only expresses an opinion, calling them “motions.”

Larson said he felt the same way.

“This is a motion disguised as a resolution. Resolutions are actions of the county legislature over things we have legal control. This is a motion,” he said.

The legislation passed states that a copy be sent to Langworthy, Justice, the state Congressional delegation, Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and the leadership of the New York State Legislature.