Tri Cities Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced an amendment to the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill that will prohibit funds for the Department of Energy (DOE) to finalize, implement, or enforce an energy standard on gas stoves. The amendment was adopted by voice vote. 

Watch Rep. Newhouse’s remarks HERE or read excerpts from his remarks as prepared below:

“Chairman Fleischmann and Ranking Member Kaptur, I rise today in support of my amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill.

“This amendment would prohibit the Department of Energy from implementing a February 2023 proposed rule which would require, for the first time ever, an energy performance standard for residential cooktops.

“If this draconian rule were carried out, it would eliminate anywhere between 50-95% of today’s gas appliances.

“This is unacceptable given the serious negative impacts it could have on American households, restaurants, and communities across Central Washington and rural America.

“Gas appliances are at the center American households. They power our stoves, furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces.

“Approximately 187 million Americans use natural gas because it is affordable, reliable, and safe.

“It is time for the federal government to stop overregulating our lives and focus on creating solutions that will actually benefit the American people and our energy future.

“I respectfully urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in support of my amendment. I yield back.”

Read the full text of the bill here.

Background:

On February 1, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) proposed an “energy efficiency standard” for gas cooking products. The proposed rule would require, for the first time ever, an energy performance standard for residential cooktops.

Rep. Newhouse has been leading efforts to stop the DOE from banning gas stoves and other gas-powered appliances:

• In January, Rep. Newhouse co-sponsored H.R. 337, the GAS Act, which prohibits federal agencies from banning the use or sale of gas-burning stoves.
• In March, Rep. Newhouse co-sponsored H.R. 1640, the Save Our Gas Stoves Act, which places limits on energy conservation standards for kitchen ranges or ovens under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The House is expected to vote on this legislation this week.
• This month, Rep. Newhouse voted for the passage of H.R. 1615, the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, which prohibits the Consumer Product Safety Commission from using federal funds to (1) regulate gas stoves as a banned hazardous product, or (2) issue or enforce a product safety standard that prohibits the use or sale of gas stoves or substantially increases their price. The House is expected to vote on this legislation this week.
• On March 20, 2023, Rep. Newhouse and 24 of his House colleagues sent a letter to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm expressing deep concern about the new proposed anti-gas appliance rule. This proposed rule would require, for the first time ever, an energy performance standard for residential cooktops, which would eliminate 95% of today’s gas appliances.
• On March 23, 2023, during a House Committee on Appropriations hearing, Rep. Newhouse asked Secretary Granholm to address constituent concerns that “96% of tested residential gas stove tops” would not be in compliance with the proposed draft rule published in February.

• On March 30, 2023, Rep. Newhouse voted for H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which included an amendment that prevents the DOE from implementing a gas stove ban. Specifically, the amendment prohibits the DOE from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing the proposed energy conservation standard for cooking products.

Issues: Energy

 Original source can be found here.