In a preemptive move, a group backed by the Colorado oil and gas industry is pursuing a ballot initiative meant to prevent local governments from banning the use of natural gas in new residential and commercial developments. Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience. Register Now The measure, Initiative 284, seeks to prevent state or local governments from passing laws or regulations banning or restricting the use of natural gas in furnaces, water heating or appliances. Protect Colorado, a group that “supports responsible oil and natural gas development … and state and local ballot initiatives that promote a vibrant Colorado economy,” has gathered more than 100,000 petition signatures to get the initiative on November’s general election ballot. The initiative must receive signatures from 124,632 registered voters by August 3 to qualify for the statewide ballot. “Initiative 284 prevents governments from removing your consumer choice […]