The media frenzy following Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka, Jr.’s comments earlier this week implying the CPSC is considering a ban on gas stoves has forced the White House to distance itself from the controversial proposal.

In a White House press briefing today, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said:

“The president does not support banning gas stoves and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is independent, is not banning gas stoves. So just want to be very clear on that.” (1:23:51, emphasis added)

The move may come as a shock to some, including the head of the U.S. Department of Energy who has been pushing for phasing out gas appliances throughout her tenure.

In December 2022, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced a proposal to electrify all new federal buildings. As E&E News reported:

“’But there’s another reason for the new standard. That is to lead by example,’ she added. ‘By making all new federal buildings clean and electrified, we will be setting a gold standard for construction all across America,’ said Granholm.”

E&E News further reported:

“The Energy Department also said it was proposing a rule that would put federal agencies on the path to eliminating gas heat.”

In July 2021, Secretary Granholm even called for “state and local officials to step up” in a discussion on electrification at the DOE’s National Energy Codes Conference, saying:

“You are the only ones who can adopt and implement smart and ambitious building codes.”

In other words, pass those bans locally.

And more recently, Sec. Granholm has taken to Twitter where she’s amplifying flawed research that uses questionable methodology to make far-reaching claims about the impacts of gas stoves.

We can and must FIX this. Through @POTUS‘ Inflation Reduction Act, Americans will have greater access to Electric and Induction Cooktops:
✅Keeps pollution out of the home.
✅Cooks food faster.
✅Helps families save money.https://t.co/UUuE14pdy3 https://t.co/sgfV8o6NZX

— Secretary Jennifer Granholm (@SecGranholm) January 4, 2023

Bottom Line: It is notable that the White House has come out so strongly against misinformed policy proposals like banning gas stoves, but is a ban through updated “building codes” still a ban?