House Republicans introduce new legislation to protect gas stoves

EXCLUSIVE — House Republicans introduced new legislation aimed at blocking the federal government from banning or regulating the use of gas stoves in U.S. households, according to copies of the bills shared first with the Washington Examiner.

The Save Our Gas Stoves Act, also known as HR 1640, was introduced by Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) and aims to block the Department of Energy from enforcing rules that would set energy efficiency and conservation standards for gas stoves. The Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, or HR 1615, was introduced by Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and prohibits the Consumer Product Safety Commission from using federal funds to ban gas stoves or enforce safety standards that would increase their prices.

House Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) praised the new bills, noting that the government should not force people to switch to alternative, more expensive energy sources, which would disproportionately impact vulnerable communities.

The proposed energy efficiency and conservation standards could make at least half of U.S. stove models ineligible for purchase, according to DOE. However, it is unclear whether any of the introduced bills would pass in the Democratic-led Senate.

While a federal ban on gas stoves is unlikely, many states and localities have adopted policies to restrict or phase out their use. Gas stoves are used in about 40% of U.S. households but have been found to emit air pollutants deemed unsafe by the Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization.