Trump considering executive order to safeguard gas-powered appliances

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Two sources familiar with the plans said President-Elect Donald Trump is considering an executive order to protect gas-powered appliances, including stoves and heaters, from federal and local regulators who want to phase them out of homes and businesses.

Republicans, including Trump, have criticized Democratic attempts to limit gas-powered appliances in new buildings, citing concerns over the environment and health. In 2023, the U.S. consumer regulator began reviewing gas appliances and their possible link to respiratory issues like asthma but noted that any new rules would take time.

The details of a potential executive order are still undecided, but sources suggest it could follow Congressional efforts to block federal funding for state and local rules that restrict gas appliances or make them more expensive. Trump's team did not comment on this issue.

Democratic-led cities like San Francisco and Berkeley, California, have tried to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve indoor air quality by restricting gas stoves in new buildings. New York state passed a law banning gas stoves and furnaces in most new buildings. However, these policies have faced legal challenges. Berkeley's ban was overturned by a U.S. appeals court in 2023, leading the city to repeal the rule.

In response, over 20 Republican-led states have passed laws preventing local governments from restricting gas use in buildings. Meanwhile, the Biden administration proposed stricter efficiency standards for both gas and electric stoves but scaled back the plan after facing criticism from Republicans and industry groups.

Gas stoves, popular for their quick, high heat, have become part of the culture wars in the U.S., with liberals pushing for climate-friendly changes and Republicans opposing restrictions. Karen Harbert, president of the American Gas Association, argued that natural gas is crucial for affordable and reliable energy, especially in extreme weather, and criticized efforts to limit its use.

According to a 2020 survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, over 75 million households in the U.S. use natural gas for at least one appliance, such as heating or cooking. The survey also showed an increase in households using gas for cooking, rising from 39 million in 2015 to 47 million in 2020. About 40 percent of U.S. homes have gas stoves.

While gas appliances were initially criticized for their climate impact, recent studies show they release harmful pollutants, including nitrogen oxides. A 2022 study in Europe linked gas stove emissions to 40,000 premature deaths annually.