Rome Reporter

In the midst of the Biden administration's proposal to ban gas stoves, Vice President Kamala Harris sparked controversy by sharing a Thanksgiving post featuring herself and her husband Doug Emhoff beside a gas stove. This incident took place in November, during the week of Thanksgiving. Representative Mike Collins, R-Ga., highlighted the contradiction on social media, questioning the stance while the administration earlier advocated for gas stove bans.

"Is that a gas stove?", said Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga.

Let's delve into some background information on this issue. According to a Fox News report, the Biden administration initially considered a ban on gas stoves citing health concerns, which later shifted to proposed Department of Energy regulations enforcing strict energy efficiency standards for new stoves.

There has been notable opposition to these proposed regulations. According to a Fox News report, the House of Representatives, with support from 29 Democrats, voted 251 to 181 in March in favor of an amendment by Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., aimed at stopping the Department of Energy from imposing stringent new regulations on gas stoves - regulations that most currently available stoves might not comply with.

Such proposed rules have also raised alarms among some senators. According to a Fox News report in February, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana warned Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm that proposed Department of Energy rules might outlaw about 96% of current gas stoves as only roughly 4% meet the stringent efficiency standards.

Moving away from legislative proceedings let's now consider domestic use statistics. According to CNN, gas stoves are utilized in 38% of U.S. households with figures reaching nearly 70% in states such as California and New Jersey.

Besides popularity among users there are also economic implications worth considering. According to the American Gas Association, bans on gas could raise housing costs affecting low-income households and young adults. Additionally, these bans may lead to increased heating expenses potentially impacting millions while having minimal effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. On the coldest day of the year, the gas delivery system provides three times the energy compared to what the electrical system delivers on the hottest day.

Finally, we turn to a perspective from an industry spokesperson. According to CNN, Jill Notini, industry spokesperson said in a statement to CNN: "A ban on gas cooking appliances would remove an affordable and preferred technology used in more than 40% of homes across the country. A ban of gas cooking would fail to address the overall concern of indoor air quality while cooking because all forms of cooking regardless of heat source generate air pollutants especially at high temperatures."