The lessons from natural gas conversion
[ch 3: page 43]Public services union UNISON says the decarbonisation of energy has operational parallels with the natural gas conversion programme, although it would be on a much bigger scale.
From the mid-1960s the UK converted from town gas to natural gas (methane). This huge logistical operation involved changing the gas appliances of millions of UK homes in a systematic and well-planned operation. It was conducted by a public corporation achieving its objective on a door to door, street by street and community by community basis. It involved a huge public relations exercise and massive levels of consumer engagement.
UNISON says only a public body would have had the confidence of the public and ensure such a conversion programme was accepted by consumers. It standardised delivery, so was cost effective and logistically possible. It also supported a substantial rise in the employment of skilled gas workers.
UNISON, Power to the People — How to achieve zero emissions through public ownership of the big six (https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2019/06/UNISONenergypublicownershipreport0619.pdf)