A bylaw approved in Brookline, Massachusetts last year to ban new gas connections was found to violate state law by the state attorney general. The bylaw aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by prohibiting new gas hookups for heating, hot water, and cooking. However, the attorney general determined the bylaw was preempted by existing state regulations governing utilities and that municipalities do not have the authority to regulate utility infrastructure.

1. Ban On New Gas Connections in Massachusetts Town Fizzles
Attorney general finds a bylaw approved last year in Brookline violates state law