CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – We were told not to worry that the federal government would ban our gas stoves. The concern is over particulates from the stove that could harm air quality and cause asthma. “And we have the power to ban things that cannot be made safe,” said the head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
But in New York City, new building codes will be gas stoves in apartment buildings more than 20-stories tall. And then a ban in buildings above 7-stories will be phased in. And then an outright ban. Uber-liberal cities are prepared to out-environmentalize the federal government.
Now the Biden Administration has concrete plans to phase out gas-powered furnaces.
The apartment I lived in after my divorce had one of these wall furnaces that will soon be outlawed. You may have something similar if you own a hunting cabin.
My old apartment had a large living room and kitchen, and then bedrooms and a bath down a large narrow hallway. A wall-mounted gas heater was more than enough to heat the large living area. The bedrooms had electric baseboard heating that I’d keep off unless it was a very cold night. Because it was an apartment, my natural gas bill was very low – always less than $100 per month. But gas wall heaters are only 85-percent efficient. The Biden administration has announced new efficiency standards of 95-percent. They breathlessly say consumers will save $1.5-billion in heating costs. Again – my apartment life heating bill was small to begin with. The new efficiency standards would save me $2 or $3. And, of course, my rent will be higher if my landlord has to install a new furnace.
And there are already plans in the pipeline to go after box-window air conditioners and your gas powered dryer.
You’ll need to buy more expensive models, and will save pennies over time.
Ronald Reagan was right. Beware of the person who says “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”
Chris Conley
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