Legal Insurrection readers may recall a post I did earlier explaining the poor science behind policies designed to eliminate gas stoves.
One of the studies cited was published in Scientific American. We have been documenting the publication’s narrative science and agenda-driven conclusions.
The “study” involved 53 households, all in California.
This study was published on January 27, 2022. In February 2022, energy markets and public policy expert Roger Donway noted that one of the study’s authors indicated that replacing gas with electric stoves was not the solution.
After weeks of those scary headlines proliferating, the lead author of that study—in a comment buried deep in a story published February 10 in Popular Mechanics—said: Actually, replacing your perfectly fine gas stove is “not the right response at this time.”“We don’t want people to go out and completely ditch a perfectly good gas stove,” lead author Eric Lebel said.Wait, what?!After weeks of reports that your gas stove was secretly hurting you and your family, we find out that you just need to ensure proper ventilation (which is true regardless of whether you use gas or electric, by the way).
Instead of focusing on serious issues, California’s politicians have decided that adding warning labels to gas stoves is the smart way to go.
Sponsored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a Democrat from Santa Cruz, Assembly Bill 2513 would require gas stoves sold online or in stores in California to come with a label that warns of the dangers of certain air pollutants emitted from the appliances. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until the end of September to sign the bill into law.In a legislative analysis of the bill, Pellerin cited ongoing health concerns with gas stoves that have led state and local governments around the country to consider regulating their use.“The emissions from the use of gas stoves inside without the proper ventilation can lead to multiple health problems for Californians,” she said of the bill.
The bill will include phrasing for a warning label filled with scare language, which people generally ignore. Still, it will provide the optics that assure politicians they are doing something worthwhile.
If Pellerin’s legislation becomes law, it will require a label on gas stoves for sale in stores and online that says, “Gas stoves can release nitrogen dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and other harmful pollutants into the air, which can be toxic to people and pets.” The label would also mention associated risks for breathing problems, suggest using a vent hood and say, “Young children, people with asthma, and people with heart or lung disease are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of combustion pollutants.””I think this is just important for us to have transparency and inform consumers so they can make the decision that’s right for their family,” Pellerin says.Similar bills were introduced in Illinois and New York, but unlike California’s version, lawmakers did not pass them out of the legislature.
The bill is being mocked for its triviality.
It will be interesting to see California Gov. Gavin Newsom sign the measure into law. If he does, Newsom might find himself grilled for the move should he proceed to explore presidential opportunities in 2028.
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