The Biden Administration has faced significant backlash over its proposed regulation on gas stoves, leading the Department of Energy (DOE) to backtrack on its original plan. The revised proposal is less stringent and allows for the use of gas stoves, not just electric ones. However, the administration’s aggressive approach towards gas stoves remains unchanged due to its extreme climate change agenda.
While the DOE has taken a step back, there are still other avenues through which the administration could target gas stoves. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is currently investigating the safety of gas stoves, and there is a possibility that they may impose restrictions. Additionally, the DOE could tighten test procedures for stove models or set tougher standards in the future. Environmental groups have also petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate residential gas appliances, including stoves, furnaces, and water heaters.
Another tactic being used to restrict access to residential natural gas is through bans on gas hookups in newly constructed residences. New York and several local governments have implemented such bans, with the administration supporting these efforts to promote electrification and achieve climate goals. Federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is being used to incorporate anti-gas provisions into local building codes and subsidize electricity-only housing in federally-subsidized properties. The Biden administration has even weighed in favor of a gas ban in Berkeley, California, when it was challenged in federal court by restaurant owners.
Although the restaurant owners were successful in their legal challenge, supporters of the gas ban are determined to find alternative means to achieve their goal, with support from the Biden administration. Despite the public backlash, the administration’s policy of targeting gas stoves as a means to save the planet remains unchanged. The battle to preserve the use of gas stoves is far from over.
In conclusion, the Biden administration has faced criticism for its proposed regulation on gas stoves. While they have backtracked on the original plan, there are still concerns that gas stoves may be targeted through other regulatory means. The administration’s support for bans on gas hookups and its commitment to achieving climate goals through electrification remain unchanged. The battle to preserve the use of gas stoves continues, despite the concessions made by the DOE.