The Biden administration announced a rule aimed at requiring some gas and electric stoves to be more efficient, but after political backlash, the requirements for gas stoves were significantly relaxed than originally proposed. Ta.
The Department of Energy said in a press release that 97 percent of gas stoves and 77 percent of electric stoves on the market already meet the requirements proposed by the Department.
this is, 50% of gas stove The company estimated that the market would be affected by this rule last year.
The actual efficiency requirements for gas stoves have also been relaxed. allow stove It uses 1.77 million British Thermal Units (BTU) of energy per year. first suggestion.
The rule applies only to new stoves sold and does not force households with substandard stoves to scrap their existing appliances.
The final rule’s requirements for smooth electric cookers remain unchanged from the original proposal, but in the final rule, the Department also scrapped a proposed standard that could impact electric stoves with coils.
Gas stoves were banned last year after regulators at the independent Consumer Product Safety Commission suggested the commission would consider banning them, citing health concerns related to pollution emitted by the appliances. It exploded as a political issue.
Following his comments and rebuke from Republicans and moderate Democrats, the committee chairman and the White House said they had no intention of banning gas stoves.
The rule, finalized Monday, is part of a larger set of energy efficiency rules being pursued by the Department of Energy under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a written statement, “President Biden is committed to the administration’s commitment to lowering costs for American households and delivering healthier communities, including energy efficiency measures like the ones announced today. We are committed to using all the tools at our disposal.”
Despite the loosened requirements, the rule still faced Republican opposition.
“The Biden administration’s efforts to regulate the types of stoves Americans use have sparked widespread backlash. Now it’s taking a new stab at a plan to determine what’s acceptable,” the House Energy Council said. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (D), vice chair of the Commerce Committee, said in a written statement.
“Here’s an idea: Let’s let Americans, not the federal government, decide which stove is right for their families,” Armstrong added.
The measure, as part of a larger ruleset, won some praise from efficiency advocates.
“The important takeaway here is that the Biden administration is updating standards for everyday items, and these updates will result in meaningful pocket money savings for families… gas stoves are just one part of that.” said Andrew DeLasky, Executive Director of Standards Awareness. project.
—Updated at 3:33 p.m.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
