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A federal official says he’s not out to ban gas stoves, the new chair of the House Energy Committee details big plans and ocean heat breaks its own record.
This is Energy & Environment, your source for the latest news focused on energy, the environment and beyond. For The Hill, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk. Subscribe here.Safety chair says he’s not seeking gas stove ban
The chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a Biden appointee, said Wednesday he is not seeking to ban new gas stoves.
The statement from CPSC Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric comes amid significant backlash from both Republicans and some conservative Democrats.
“I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so,” said Hoehn-Saric in a written statement.
So what is going on? He clarified the commission is “researching gas emissions in stoves and exploring new ways to address health risks.” He also said it is engaged in “strengthening voluntary safety standards” for the appliances.
How did this start? Fellow commissioner Richard Trumka, also a Biden appointee, has floated new regulations or a ban on the stoves, as The Hill first reported last month.
The issue received new attention this week after Trumka reiterated the sentiment in an interview with Bloomberg News that was published this week.
The issue was met with condemnation from Republican lawmakers, including House Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), who pledged oversight while talking to reporters Wednesday and also released a statement condemning the potential for a ban.
“It is about telling the American people the federal government knows best and will decide what kind of car they can drive, how they can heat their house, and now how they’re allowed to cook food for their families,” she said.
