The Department of Energy finalized rules regulating efficiency standards for kitchen appliances such as gas stoves on Monday. The finalized rule, however, is less stringent than previous iterations after Republicans and centrist Democrats criticized the rule for being too far-reaching.
The finalized rule would enact efficiency standards for residential cooking products such as gas and electric stoves, along with oven ranges. The final rule is expected to affect only 3% of gas stove models and 23% of electric stoves on the market. A February proposal, in contrast, would have meant that half the gas stove models on the market would have become ineligible.
“DOE is dedicated to working together with our industry partners and stakeholders throughout 2024 to continue strengthening appliance standards, addressing a backlog of Congressionally-mandated energy efficiency actions that is delaying a projected $1 trillion in consumer savings from reaching the American people,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.
The revised final rule comes amid adamant opposition from conservative lawmakers, who characterized the Biden administration’s efficiency regulations as overreaching and radical and argued they would increase costs for consumers. Republicans and centrists such as Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) have sought to prevent the DOE from enacting the rule through several pieces of legislation. None, however, has been signed into law.
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Furthermore, the gas stove rule became a culture war issue, with several Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, campaigning on the move as an effort from the White House to take away consumers’ gas stoves.
The finalized rule is expected to take effect in 2028 and is projected to amount to $1.6 billion in savings for consumers’ utility bills over 30 years. The DOE is estimating the standards will decrease carbon emissions by approximately 4 million metric tons cumulatively over the same time span — roughly equivalent to the emissions associated with the energy use of 500,000 households.
