(The Center Square) — Maine lawmakers are considering a Democratic proposal that seeks to phase out natural gas in the state gradually, but critics say the plan would drive up energy costs and restrict consumer options.

The proposal, which will be considered by the Legislature’s Committee On Energy, Utilities and Technology on Thursday, calls for phasing out the state’s reliance on gas, preventing utilities from passing on the costs of new service hookups in commercial and residential properties beginning in 2025 and force them to study the use of heat-pumps, among other mandates.Maine Public Advocate Bill Harwood, whose office drafted the legislation, said in recent testimony that the measure would allow the state “to hit the pause button” on the expansion of natural gas while it studies “what role we want gas to play in our energy future.”