In the debate around gas stoves and ranges, two New Jersey Republicans are planting their flag in support of their use.
State Sens. Steven Oroho (R-24) and Joe Pennacchio (R-26) teamed up to introduce legislation that would protect the right of state residents to buy and use gas stoves and appliances.
“Our bill would guarantee the right of New Jerseyans to use gas appliances and prevent state regulators from implementing any intrusive and expensive bans,” said Oroho. “We’re taking power back from the Trenton bureaucrats who want to control our lives.”
Origin of Controversy
The legislation follows an interview in Bloomberg that featured a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) leader noting the agency could issue a federal ban on the sale of new gas stoves in response to alleged health concerns, including childhood asthma.
Although CPSC walked back the comments in response to public uproar, Pennacchio argued such legislation was still a threat at the state level. He went on to say it was a long-term goal under Gov. Phil Murphy’s Energy Master Plan.
Preventing a Ban at the State Level
“A federal ban on gas stoves may be on hold for now, but we know Governor Murphy’s expensive green energy plan would force New Jersey families and businesses to electrify everything, including their stoves, water heaters, and furnaces,” said Pennacchio.
“Our bill would guarantee the right of New Jerseyans to use gas appliances and prevent state regulators from implementing any intrusive and expensive bans.”
Both lawmakers warned the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) had already begun efforts to bring New Jersey to an all-electric future.
Warnings from Other Projects
A proposed rule which would have forced the electrification of thousands of large commercial boilers across the state starting in 2025 was pulled after costs were revealed, including a $2 million per boiler conversion cost, plus operating costs that were about 400% times higher when compared to gas versions.
“Despite some setbacks, we have every indication that the Democratic majority in the Legislature will continue pulling the levers of state government to try to impose Gov. Murphy’s extreme green energy plans,” added Oroho.
“We know more of this nanny-state nonsense is on the way, so we’ll remain vigilant and keep pushing back on behalf of struggling New Jerseyans who deserve to decide for themselves.”
What kind of twisted unreality do Republicans live in where they feel a deep need to “protect” kids by censoring school curriculums so they don’t learn about the existence of gay people but are weirdly obsessed with fighting a **NON EXISTENT** ban on exposing them to toxic air?
They’re “pro-life” which overrides Americans’ bodily autonomy, but once a kid is out of the womb they want to make sure their parents have the right to give them brain damage and asthma?
How detached and out of touch the American people have they and their radical, extremist party become? Did they learn nothing from the total bust of a midterm election they just had?
Follow the science. Gas stoves produce dangerous pollutants that harm indoor air that we all breathe. When new scientific discoveries emerge (for example, that smoking causes cancer, lead causes brain damage, etc.,) we have to pay attention and balance those discoveries and risks with the costs. IF costs would be higher to run electric appliances, we would need to find ways to develop more energy efficient versions or else assist lower-income residents with any upgrade and ongoing energy costs to avoid abrupt economic fallout. These things can and should be managed. Instead of appealing to those seeking simple solutions, and taking advantage of those unable to discern the nuances of such matters for political gain (i.e. couching it in calls for “freedom”), let’s work together to find solutions that minimize cost shock, while maximizing public health interests. We cannot forget to factor in the hidden costs to society and to individuals of harm to health caused by use of unsafe products.
This is typical GOP idiocy. I thought NJ GOP was exempt from this level of idiocy, but apparently not. No one is taking away anyone’s gas stove! I cook with gas and I’m a LIB. The idea is to encourage people to switch to either electric or convection (which based upon my last experience with it in a vacation rental place, will be my next cooktop) for good reasons dealing with both greenhouse gases and in-home health issues that are REAL. At the very least if you cook with gas, please vent above the stove. Follow science, not Republican/conservative idiots—and I use the word “idiot” sparingly. It’s appropriate here.
@notatrumper – Precisely. The Republicans love such scare tactics to motivate their base and garner votes.
Next non-existent “threat” these morons will tackle is banning cat litter boxes in classrooms 😂
The worst nanny state tyrannical clueless demagogues are far and away liberals and progressives. Gov has no moral or legal authority to ban any food or energy source. howardfrederics above demostrates his typical unfathomable ignorance and idiocy . Gas stoves and their byproducts are not dangerous at all. Just like there is no climate emergency.
At one point the progressives were actually able to ban alcoholic beverages under the 18th amendment to the constitution. That remains one of the dumbest most idiotic and failed efforts the US gov has ever undertaken. So ppl in this thread who think that the US couldnt really try or suceed to ban or limit gas stoves are naïve.
Now of course we can add to the list of abject failures: covid lockdowns school closures, mask mandates, covid mRNA shots and so much more
The US gov should be condemn for even suggesting the possibility of banning gas stoves, but instead the people in this blog resort to crybaby tribal nonsense and attack republicans for stating the obvious fact that its ridiculous and asinine to even suggest that the gov has anything to say about the topic
There is no climate crises and gas stoves do not contribute in any meaningful way to emissions
@Dirk, I think you forgot to take your daily meds, today. Better do that now before the men in the white coats come for you.
Both these Public Servant’s, Oroho & Pennacchio, are supporting with Good Commonsense to Protect Gas Stoves from being Banned!! This Nation has Gone Bonker’s with making Law’s, that Impede & Restrict People’s Rite’s & Freedom’s!! And this is just another One of their Example’s of Stupidity!! OH; And Gas also has Many advantages over Electric!! Can you name some?? I can!!//