Feb
12

Is the War on Gas (Stoves) Real?

“Did you know that it’s a lot harder for the government to arbitrarily cut off your access to power if you’re using gas as opposed to electric? Or is that really the point?” — Nick Freitas, Virginia state Delegate

Some on the Left are trying to convince the American public that this whole we-want-to-outlaw-gas-stoves narrative is disinformation, misinformation, or just hallucination. Tucker Carlson put together a few video clips of what these people are saying, which Deroy Murdock summarized in his article for The Daily Signal:

“This is delusional drivel from the harem of the unhinged over at Fox News,” state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Pa., complained.

MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan denounced what he called “the imaginary ban on gas stoves they’re all getting mad about over on Fox.”

“You have [Florida Gov.] Ron DeSantis saying, ‘I’m going to protect your gas stove,’” said Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough, “‘Gas stove. Gas stove.’ It’s so stupid.”

Beneath a graphic that read: “GOP distracts from unpopular agenda with culture wars,” MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin said Republicans refuse “to have gas stoves pried out of their cold, dead hands — equating it with God and country and what have you.”

A Washington Post headline: “GOP thrusts gas stoves, Biden’s green agenda into the culture wars.”

This whole thing started when Rich Trumka Jr., a member of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), told Bloomberg that a ban on gas stoves (i.e., natural gas and propane) was indeed being considered due to concerns about health (a possible link to asthma in children) and about climate change (carbon monoxide and formaldehyde). This potential regulation was something that Trumka himself encouraged, as revealed in an internal memo to a fellow commissioner back on Oct. 25, 2022.

There was a public backlash on Twitter, to which Trumka responded, assuring people that the agency “isn’t coming for anyone’s gas stoves.” And, if reports are to be believed, no formal proposals for such regulatory action have been put forth… yet. CPSC Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric said,

“CPSC is researching gas emissions in stoves and exploring new ways to address any health risks. CPSC also is actively engaged in strengthening voluntary safety standards for gas stoves.”

When asked about such a ban by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk claimed there was no ban in the works. However, the Department of Energy (DOE) has introduced a series of strict gas stove standards that would mandate higher efficiency levels. According to the CPSC,

“[We have] plans to start gathering data and perspectives from the public on potential hazards associated with gas stoves, and proposed solutions to those hazards later this year.”

Jill Notini of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers told FOX Business,

“[A] discussion around electrification to meet climate change goals certainly has been in the works for a while.”

No bans will be forthcoming “overnight”, and I’m all for improving safety and efficiency of gas stove design. But, we have to remember how much the Left — including the Biden administration — want to get rid of “fossil fuels” altogether. Despite all the benefits of natural gas stoves (cheap and clean), and despite all the economic hardships it would cause many businesses and individuals, a ban would be right in line with measures already being done in progressive-run cities and municipalities all over the nation.

As people like Murdock and the Heritage Foundation’s Rachael Wilfong have documented, cities including Los Angeles, Berkeley, Seattle, New York City, et al., are already banning gas and gas appliances in new homes and other buildings primarily for “climate change” reasons. Some require electrification retrofits in existing buildings and new remodels, too. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing a statewide ban. (Fortunately, at least 20 states have passed statewide bans on natural gas bans.) It should be clear that those advocating the “Climatarian” agenda will use local, state, and federal legislation and regulation to eliminate Americans’ choice to use clean and cheap natural gas-based appliances however they can.

So, to answer the title question, “Yes, of course it’s real.”