Gas Stoves Whac-a-Mole

While the Biden Administration tempered the suggestion that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will seek to outright ban gas cooktops, the CPSC’s bigger, stronger brother, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been tagged into the ring.

On February 1, 2023, the DOE issued a 282-page Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking focused not on cooktop emissions but rather on efficiency standards.  Using the DOE’s methodology, open (coil) element electric cooktops will pass with flying colors while 96% of gas cooktops currently on the market tested by the department failed.   Only one gas cooktop passed the DOE’s tests.  And notably, it appears the federal government has modified its tactics to focus on consumer cooktops and ovens, excluding commercial cooking, undoubtedly to stave off the ire of restaurants and their patrons.

NPGA is still analyzing the rulemaking, with laser focus on the testing methodology.  NPGA is also collaborating with its partners in the natural gas and home appliance sectors and coordinating review by our legal and technical experts.  Comments are due in 60 days and NPGA will be actively seeking to protect propane-fueled cooking appliances.

Steve Kaminski, NPGA President and CEO