NW Valley Times

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released its final rule for energy efficiency standards for residential cooking products, a move that has been influenced by the efforts of U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) and feedback from around the country. Congresswoman Lesko's bipartisan passage of the Save Our Gas Stoves Act played a significant role in dialing back the Biden Administration's radical agenda against gas stoves.

"I'm pleased that the bipartisan passage of my Save Our Gas Stoves Act in the U.S. House of Representatives helped the Biden Administration realize they had to dial back their radical agenda against gas stoves," said Congresswoman Lesko. "With the passage of my Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I plan to continue my fight against Biden's radical agenda."

The DOE has stated that the majority of gas stove models and a significant percentage of smooth electric stove models already meet the energy efficiency standards. Compliance with the standards will be required for newly manufactured and imported models starting from January 31, 2028. In contrast, a 2023 DOE technical report revealed that the increased regulatory burden from the original draft rule would have impacted 96 percent of the market share of gas stoves.

Congresswoman Lesko's Save Our Gas Stoves Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last summer with bipartisan support, prevents the Secretary of Energy from implementing energy conservation standards if they result in the unavailability of a product based on the type of fuel it uses. The bill is currently awaiting consideration in the U.S. Senate.

Additionally, Congresswoman Lesko's Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act, which passed the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce late last year, prohibits the DOE from prescribing new or amended energy efficiency standards for a product that is not technologically feasible and economically justified. The bill is now awaiting consideration on the House Floor.

Congresswoman Lesko's efforts have successfully pushed back against the Biden Administration's aggressive regulatory agenda on gas stoves. By ensuring that energy efficiency standards are realistic and feasible, consumers can continue to have access to the cooking appliances they prefer. Lesko's dedication to protecting consumer choice and preventing unnecessary government overreach is commendable and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on American households.