In a controversial move, the Biden administration has announced that it is considering a ban on gas cooking stoves.
According to Breitbart, that announcement was made this week by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) head Richard Trumka Jr.
During an interview with Bloomberg, called gas stoves a "hidden hazard" and pointed to the pollutants that they emit, including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and fine particulate matter.
Bloomberg pointed to a study which argued that those pollutants contribute to respiratory disease risks for those who live in homes featuring gas stoves.
The study also found that "annual methane emissions from all gas stoves in U.S. homes have a climate impact comparable to the annual carbon dioxide emissions of 500 000 cars."
"This is a hidden hazard," Bloomberg quoted Trumka as saying. "Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned."
However, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers vice president Jill Notini told Bloomberg that the government should be focused on mitigating gas stove-related health risks, saying, "Ventilation is really where this discussion should be, rather than banning one particular type of technology."
Breitbart noted that the proposal to ban gas stoves has been met by disapproval among critics, with Alabama Rep. Gary Palmer tweeting, "This type of power should never have been given to unelected bureaucrats and it is time for it to end."
Over 40 million American households use gas stoves. This type of power should never have been given to unelected bureaucrats and it is time for it to end. https://t.co/ey1sYrDvX9
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) January 9, 2023
Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson was also among those voicing opposition, and he expressed his disapproval on Twitter.
The former White House physician borrowed a phrase famously used by late Hollywood actor and National Rifle Association president Charlton Heston regarding gun confiscation, saying that the White House can take his gas stove from his "cold dead hands."
I’ll NEVER give up my gas stove. If the maniacs in the White House come for my stove, they can pry it from my cold dead hands. COME AND TAKE IT!!
— Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) January 10, 2023
Missouri Republican Rep. Mark Alford echoed those sentiments by tweeting out a meme that featured a stylized gas burner above the words "Come And Take It."
— Mark Alford 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@markalfordkc) January 11, 2023
