Manchin sends defiant message to Biden over proposed gov't rules that could prohibit nearly all gas stoves

 Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) rebuked the Biden administration for proposing new energy conservation rules that would, according to Manchin, prohibit most gas stoves.

What about the rules?

On Wednesday, the Department of Energy proposed new rules for "energy conservation standards for consumer conventional cooking products," which would affect both gas and electric stoves and ovens.

The benefits of the updated rule, the agency alleges, include energy savings and environmental kickbacks.

The proposed rules come after widespread outrage against the Biden administration for allegedly considering a ban on gas stoves. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric later denied the government was considering any such rule, but Fox News has since reported on internal administration memos showing a ban was, in fact, under consideration.

What did Manchin say?

At a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Manchin said the proposed Energy Department rules would negatively impact 96% of all gas stoves.

"Gas stoves have been in the news lately and I've come out strongly against the Consumer Product Safety Commission pursuing any ban of gas stoves," he began.

"I've always been a proponent of energy efficiency," he continued. "But the draft rule proposes efficiency levels that DOE says at the highest level, up to 96% of gas stoves don't currently meet. I don't like where I think they're going with this."

Manchin then made it clear he will not relinquish his gas stove.

"And I'll tell you one thing: They're not taking my gas stove out. And my wife and I would both be upset," he said. "The federal government doesn't have any business telling American families how to cook their dinner. If there's technology down the road, and as we transition into new technology, that's fine. But basically retrofitting or removing stoves that people have had for years is not going to happen."

Meanwhile, Manchin introduced legislation, alongside Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), that would prevent the government from prohibiting gas stoves or imposing regulations that would make them unaffordable.

The bill is appropriately titled the "Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act."