New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has been called a hypocrite after she was pictured grilling on gas-powered grills, although she said she would like to see such devices banned within a few years.
State officials have portrayed Hochul’s proposal as a way to tackle climate change, but critics believe her words are full of hot air.
If the new law is passed, New Yorkers would only see electric stovetops in new buildings by 2028, but smaller buildings will be banned from gas connections as early as 2025.
Despite her good intentions, Hochul does not seem to practice what she preaches and has been pictured wearing one herself, including at the governor’s mansion in Albany and at her home in Buffalo, New York.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to ban gas stoves in new homes by 2025 has met with backlash from critics who have accused her of being hypocritical. She is pictured with a gas grill
Hochul has been pictured on her own social media using fossil fuels on gas stoves at the Executive Mansion in Albany and at her private home in Buffalo
Hochul suggested the controversial move during her address to the state earlier this month while outlining her plan to “realize the New York dream.”
Existing buildings would not be affected and residents would not be forced to replace their stovetops.
Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay stated: “The governor’s push to ban gas stoves appears as hypocritical as it is ridiculous.”
“One has to wonder how many times she’s lit her own gas stove since declaring them polluting in her state-of-the-state address,” he added.
Hochul has argued that the state must push for electrification regulations for new buildings to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent compared to 1990 levels, as mandated by a 2019 state law.
Hochul has been pictured with gas appliances at places including the governor’s mansion in Albany and at her home in Buffalo, New York
In response to the apparent clash, Hochul’s spokeswoman, Hazel Crampton-Hays, said: “No one is taking anyone’s gas stoves. The governor’s proposal does not apply to existing gas stoves in homes and businesses,” she said.
‘We are focused on continuing to advance the boldest climate policies in the nation to protect the health and safety of our children and the planet, while reducing energy bills and prioritizing energy affordability and reliability.’
Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy also questioned Hochul’s double standards.
“Is it any surprise that Queen Kathy cooks on her gas stove when she’s flying around on private planes? New Yorkers are so sick of fake climate warrior hypocrites and their “rules for you but not for me”. Our state is in a criminal and economic free fall, and it is at war on gadgets.’
Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to halt the use of gas stoves in new developments. Hochul, 64, claimed the stoves contribute to a third of greenhouse gas emissions
“Flying in private jets and driving gas-guzzling SUVs are common sights because they’re scary and scare our kids about climate change,” State Senator George Borello told the New York Post.
“If phasing out natural gas appliances and heating isn’t a priority for the political elite, then why should it be for middle-class families in New York?” he asked.
“The governor and everyone else in government who supports a ban on fossil fuel-powered devices should lead by example. I’d like to see them remove their gas ranges and heating systems,” Republican Rep. Jarett Gandolfo suggested.
In the catering industry, such restrictions are inconvenient, as many suspect that cooking with gas has clear advantages over gas, both in terms of taste and reliability.
“The recent storms in western New York are a perfect example, as many people affected by widespread power outages have been able to eat hot meals thanks to gas stoves in homes and restaurants,” said Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of New York State Restaurant Association.
Hochul is expected to present its proposed state budget by the end of January.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted earlier this month that President Joe Biden was not after Americans’ gas stoves
As the contentious debate over gas stoves heats up, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted Wednesday that President Joe Biden is not after Americans’ gas stoves.
“The President does not support the ban on gas stoves, and the independent Consumer Product Safety Commission does not ban gas stoves,” she said.
Jean-Pierre’s comment was in response to Biden-appointed Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr., who called the stoves a “danger” to children after the release of a study conducted by the commission.
The new Children’s Health Study found that around one in eight cases of childhood asthma in the US is due to air pollution from gas stoves.
This puts the emissions from gas cooking at the same asthma risk level as inhaling secondhand smoke.
Asthma affects about six million children in the United States each year, and nearly 13 percent of them get it from inhaling the myriad of toxins that gas stoves emit every day.
Hochul’s proposal aims to implement plans to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 85% compared to 1990 levels, as required by a 2019 law
About 100 cities and counties have passed policies that require or encourage a shift away from fossil fuel buildings. California will ban the sale of natural gas stoves and water heaters by 2030.
Natural gas traders and appliance manufacturers argued that banning natural gas stoves would drive up costs for homeowners and restaurants with little environmental gain.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a trade group representing appliance manufacturers, found that gas stoves are usually cheaper to run than electric stoves and argued that “increased use of ventilation” was a better solution than a ban.
“A ban on gas cooking appliances would eliminate an affordable and preferred technology used in more than 40 percent of homes across the country,” AHAM spokeswoman Jill Notini told in a statement on Tuesday.
“A ban would not address the general concern about indoor air quality around cooking, as all forms of cooking, regardless of the heat source, produce air pollutants, especially at high temperatures,” she said.
Notini added that “a focus on increasing the use of ventilation is an effective solution to improve indoor air quality while cooking”.
The American Gas Association added that regulators have not provided documented evidence linking breathing problems to gas stoves.
“The US Consumer Product Safety Commission and the EPA do not represent gas stoves in their technical or public information literature, guidance, or requirements as a significant contributor to poor air quality or a health hazard,” Karen Harbert, the group’s president, told Bloomberg.
“The most practical and realistic way to achieve a sustainable future of clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy is to ensure that natural gas and the infrastructure to transport it are included.”