Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - This week, the Energy Department announced rules aimed at requiring gas stoves to be more efficient but, following immense pushback, the requirements are significantly weaker than what was initially proposed.
Despite warnings that gas stoves were in the Biden Administration’s crosshairs, the DOE’s new measure would reportedly affect just 3 percent of the models on the market now according to Politico.
That's the federal track. New York State, however, is on a different track.
New York is the first state in the country to pass a law prohibiting the use of fossil fuel equipment in new construction. The mandate is set to go into effect in 2026 for new buildings of seven stories or less, and in 2029 for larger buildings.
It is currently being challenged in court.
Chris Tryjankowski of PCS Plumbing who also serves on the New York State Plumbing Heating and Cooling Contractors Association, tried to make sense of it.
"I think they're easing things a little bit (on the federal level) just because it's a presidential election year. But from what we're seeing, the administration is still full-in on decarbonization and so is New York State."
Tryjankowski said the DOE has relaxed efficiency standards for gas stoves, but it has increased efficiency standards for hot water tanks, furnaces and boilers.
On the consumer level, he said there is still a lot of confusion over this.
"When we see customers who need a new furnace, we make them aware of the law, but a lot of them have never heard anything about it."
When it comes to electric furnaces, he said the interest level is very, very low.
"The general consumer wants their furnace, or their fireplace as a gas appliance. They don't want to waiver from it."
Tryjankowski said loopholes are being created to allow gas to continue for a while, but eventually he expects the future to be decarbonization.