SEEC Rejects Republican Fearmongering Tactics Related to the Safety and Efficiency of Gas Stoves

Washington, D.C. – The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko, Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Matt Cartwright, Sean Casten, Chellie Pingree, and Katie Porter, and Chair Emeritus Rep. Gerry Connolly, released the following statement in response to the passage of the Republican-led “Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act” (H.R. 1615) and “Save Our Gas Stoves Act” (H.R. 1640) that mislead the American public and will significantly limit the ability of the Department of Energy (DOE) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to ensure American families have access to efficient and safe home appliances.

“Despite millions of Americans on the East Coast experiencing firsthand the dangers of air pollution last week, House Republicans have turned a blind eye to the consequences of breathing in polluted air for their partisan purposes. Decades of scientific research have demonstrated that the human health impacts of indoor air pollution from gas stoves are indisputable, particularly for our most vulnerable family members. Additionally, safe and energy efficient home appliances translate into real dollar savings through lower energy and medical bills for everyday American families.

“Contrary to Republican fearmongering tactics, the DOE and CPSC are not proposing to ban gas stoves. Rather, these agencies are following their congressional mandates to issue energy efficiency and safety standards for appliances that are found in millions of American households. This week, our Republican counterparts decided to block these common-sense standards and rob American consumers of the $1.71 billion in net benefits that are expected with stove efficiency upgrades. 

“By deliberately misleading the American public, Republicans are prioritizing the profits of their fossil fuel industry friends over the health of our children and economic well-being of our families. We at SEEC will continue to strive to provide our agencies and scientific experts the necessary tools to safeguard American homes and our loved ones.”