“Florida Senate Votes in Favor of Bill Allowing Use of Gas Stoves and Major Appliances”

MIAMI.- A Proyect of ley that would prohibit local governments from Florida restrict the use of gas stoves and other major appliances, is one step away from becoming law, in defiance of a federal announcement that would prevent the use of such appliances.

The senators voted 33-4 in favor of the legislative proposal presented by Sen. Jay Collins and Rep. James Buchanan, which would go into effect on July 1, if approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis, as the state president announced he will do when get to your office.

The measure, according to its authors and promoters, has been presented to “protect the rights of consumers” and “guarantee their freedom of choice” in the use of non-electric appliances, such as water heaters, fireplaces, generators, and clothes dryers.

Likewise, it has been presented in response to a proposal by the head of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Richard Trumka, who announced the possibility of banning gas stoves through a federal regulation.

Trumka said last January that “this is a hidden danger”, to which he added: “Any option is on the table. Products that cannot be made safe can be banned.”

Most Americans oppose banning gas stoves, which are used by only 8% of Florida homes, according to the US Energy Information Administration. However, there have been attempts to ban these appliances across the country, including San Francisco and New York.

Senator Collins has stressed that the bill is necessary to “protect” Floridians from a growing trend of “government overreach” and has stressed that gas appliances are “safe, reliable and affordable,” giving families the freedom to choose the appliance that best suits their needs.

HB 1281 not only protects freedom of choice, but also protects Florida’s economy, according to a press release from Congressman Buchanan’s office.

Official figures indicate that natural gas generates an economic impact of $3.53 billion and creates 44,000 new jobs in Florida each year.

The World Health Organization has said that natural gas stoves emit unsafe levels of air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and other particulates.