US President-elect Donald Trump has criticized the Biden administration’s efforts to regulate gas appliances and vowed to change the policy when he takes office.
President-elect Donald Trump railed against environmental regulations passed by outgoing President Biden, vowing on Tuesday to reverse those policies when he takes office later this month.
At a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump derided Biden’s promise of a smooth transition as just “talk,” pointing to a series of executive orders Biden announced at the last minute before he leaves the White House. On Monday, Biden placed a permanent ban on new oil and gas drilling in US coastal and offshore waters in an area that spans about 625 million hectares. The Biden administration also announced new standards for gas boilers that Trump criticized as even “worse” than the oil drilling ban.
“Another thing he did yesterday, which was worse in many ways—it’s hard to believe it could be worse—he wants all the gas heaters out of your homes and apartments. He wants them replaced mostly with electric heaters. I don’t want I don’t know what about electricity, this guy loves electricity,” Trump said.
“We’re going to end the electric car mandate,” he added while criticizing Biden’s support for green energy to extolling the virtues of gas heaters and flow-restrictor-free showers.
CALIFORNIA REIGNITED THE WAR ON GAS STOVES WITH A NEW BILL
President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on January 7, 2025. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Reuters photos)
Trump’s comments come after a report indicated he is considering an executive order to protect gas appliances, including stoves and heaters, from federal and local regulators who want to phase out fossil fuels.
Democratic efforts to limit gas appliances have drawn criticism from Republicans in recent years.
The Biden administration sparked controversy in 2023 after US Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. suggested that the government could ban gas stoves that are said to emit pollutants which cause respiratory and health problems.
Two sources said to be familiar with Trump’s thinking told Reuters that Trump’s potential executive order would reflect efforts by Congress to limit federal funding for state and local initiatives that limit gas appliances or impose regulations that would increase their cost.
GAS STOVES: TRADE GROUP ‘WORRIED’ ABOUT ENERGY DEPARTMENT PROPOSAL ON COOKING APPLIANCES
A flame burns on a gas stove on April 28, 2023 in New York City. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that starting in 2026, New York will require new buildings to be zero-emission as part of this year’s budget and ban the burning of fossil fuels in most new buildings (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)/Getty Images)
The Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
Gas stoves, favored by cooks who like fast, high heat, have been targeted by progressives who want to curb climate change by limiting options for consumers, and are defended by Republicans like Trump and business groups who want the free market to decide.
“That speaks volumes when it takes an order from the White House to prevent one’s own government from banning natural gas furnaces and water heaters,” Karen Herbert, president of the American Gas Association, an industry trade group, said in a statement to Reuters. “Despite illegal efforts to ban access and use of natural gas, our industry is working hard to keep life’s essential energy affordable and reliable, especially during the extreme cold weather we are currently experiencing.”
Dozens of Democratic-controlled cities, including San Francisco and Berkeley, California, have sought to limit the use of gas furnaces in new buildings as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve indoor air quality. New York state approved a law last month banning natural gas stoves and furnaces in most new buildings.
THE CONSUMER GUARDIAN ‘DOES NOT COME FOR ANYONE’S GAS STOVES’
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden disembark from Air Force One upon arrival in New Orleans on January 6, 2025. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque TPX PICTURES OF THE DAY)
Those efforts have focused on legal challenges led by the GOP and laws passed in red states that prohibit local governments from restricting gas in buildings, according to S&P Global.
More than 75 million American households use natural gas for at least one appliance, mostly for home or water heating, according to the 2020 U.S. Energy Information Administration.
About two out of every five American homes have a gas stove, according to the survey.
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Trump has criticized the electricity and water-saving devices as inefficient and ineffective, characterizing his opposition to Democratic climate policy as “common sense.”
“We’re the party of common sense, and the things I’m telling you right now are really all about common sense,” Trump said.
Fox News Digital’s Aubry Spady and Reuters contributed to this report.
