The U.S. House on Tuesday voted to block the Biden administration’s plans to ban gas stoves.
All five Oklahomans in the house were among the 248 who voted in support of H.R. 1615, the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act. The act was opposed by 180 Representatives.
Rep. Josh Brecheen’s vote was no surprise because on June 5, he tweeted, “Nearly 187 million Americans use natural gas because it is affordable and reliable. So why does the Biden Administration want to ban gas stoves? The Biden Administration is obsessed with pursuing a radical climate ideology at the expense of the American people.”
“Democrat lawmakers in states like California and New York are passing legislation to ban gas stoves in new builds – this is really happening!” said Rep. Kevin Hern.
“It’s almost ridiculous that Congress must take these actions, but it’s only necessary because absurdity has replaced common-sense on the Left. Pursuit of radical, woke, green new deal policies will only cause further harm to this nation.”
The storm around Biden’s plan arose in January when Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard L. Trumka Jr. revealed his agency was considering a ban on gas stoves. He said they posed health risks to consumers.
The U.S. Senate also has a similar bill, one filed by Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming who is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
“The Biden administration is trying to regulate gas stoves and other appliances we use every day. Unless Congress stops this administration’s regulatory tsunami, Americans will lose access to the natural gas appliances they need,” said Barrasso.
He praised the House for its vote, saying the measure will ensure safe, popular gas stoves remain an option for homes and businesses.
“The work is not over. The Senate should quickly approve our legislation to stop the Biden administration from outlawing gas stoves and other appliances American families depend on.”
Barrasso introduced S. 1043, the Natural Gas Appliance Standards (Natural GAS) Act, on March 29, 2023. The legislation would:
- Require that DOE certify that any stove, water heater, or furnace energy efficiency rule would not result in fuel switching from natural gas to electric appliances;
- Specify that DOE may not put forward a rule that would limit the features of gas stoves, such as quick boil times, number and size of burners, and design of grates;
- Exempt small manufacturers from future energy efficiency rulemakings for stoves, water heaters, and furnaces; and,
- Require that existing energy efficiency labels displayed at the point of sale disclose full-fuel-cycle efficiency, rather than just point-of-use energy consumption. This comprehensive analysis would consider energy consumed to extract and transport fuels, energy losses in power generation, and energy losses in transmission and transportation.