Both Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) brought forth new pieces of legislation this past week which are seeking to prevent the federal government from trying to ban any gas-powered stoves.
Richard Trumka Jr., the Consumer Product Safety Commission Commissioner, spawned extreme criticism this past month in the wake of saying, as part of an interview, that gas stoves have become a “hidden hazard” and claimed that “any option is on the table” for a prohibition of them nationwide. Alex Hoehn-Saric, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman, went on later to post a statement amid the backlash in which they stated that the agency has no plans to try and outlaw gas stoves, but the Energy Department later put forth rules which would let regulators bring about energy consumption standards for the appliances.
The Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act that was proposed by the pair of legislators would disallow the Consumer Product Safety Commission from banning the sale or use of any gas stoves, as well as taking additional action which would “substantially increase the average price of gas stoves in the United States.” this new piece of legislation does not make any sort of mention about possible plans coming from the Energy Department.
“The federal government has no business telling American families how to cook their dinner, which is why Senator Cruz and I introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure Americans decide how to cook in their own homes,” stated Manchin in a press release. “I can tell you the last thing that would ever leave our house is the gas stove we cook on, and I will continue to fight any overreach by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.”
Close to 38% of U.S. households make use of gas stoves for cooking, with the figure rapidly hitting the 70% mark for some states such as California and New Jersey, as reported in data coming from the Energy Information Administration. Most seem to prefer the appliances over their electric counterparts because of the better heat control allowed and the more versatile uses for grilling and searing food.
“Make no mistake, radical environmentalists want to stop Americans from using natural gas. The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s proposed ban on gas stoves is the latest egregious scaremongering by the Far Left and their Biden administration allies,” stated Cruz as part of a press release. “I am pleased to partner with Senator Manchin in this bipartisan effort to stop the federal government from issuing regulations that put the interests of the Green New Deal before the well-being of American families.”