My Stove, My Choice
Here's the latest dispatch.
Good afternoon,
For you newbies out there, welcome to Outsider on the Inside. I hope this dispatch from in and around the nation’s capital on underreported topics finds you well.
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Hands Off Our Stoves
A member of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) proposed a ban on new natural gas stoves under the guise of combating childhood asthma.
Richard Trumka Jr., son of the late AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka, Sr., is behind this asinine proposal.
Trumka Jr. alluded to a new gas stove ban to Bloomberg, saying, “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”
He cited a December 2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Report claiming gas stoves are responsible for nearly 13% of childhood asthma cases.
But these findings are suspect at best. Several listed coauthors are affiliated with groups pushing net-zero and decarbonization. Talor Gruenwald is a research associate with Rewiring America, a self-described “leading electrification nonprofit, focused on electrifying our homes, businesses, and communities.” Another listed author is Brady A. Seals, manager of the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Carbon-Free Buildings program (a backer of the study). Seals isn’t a scientist or health professional. Her RMI department advocates constructing zero-carbon buildings, retrofitting 5% of buildings each year, and ensuring “electric and efficient appliances.”
This, however, isn’t stopping climate alarmists from parroting these findings and accusing Republicans of “thrusting” gas stoves into the culture war.
The American Gas Association (AGA) rebuked the study, noting, “A December 2022 report in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health linking natural gas cooking with asthma is not substantiated by sound science. Any discussion or perpetuation of the allegations in this report which is funded by non-governmental organizations to advance their agenda to remove consumer energy choice and the option of natural gas is reckless.”
IWF Staff of the Quarter Award
During quarterly meetings this week, Independent Women’s Forum (where I serve as a Senior Fellow) surprised me by bestowing me with their Staff of the Quarter award for my policy work in the following areas: labor/independent contracting, ESG, and energy/conservation.
It’s a tremendous honor to be acknowledged in this manner and I don’t take it lightly. I love being a part of the organization and can’t wait to share some of the projects we’re unveiling this year with you soon.
Palate Cleanser: Fox on a Fence
To my astonishment this week, I captured a red fox walking on top of a fence separating me between my neighbors.
Here’s the clip:
ICYMI
Articles/ commentary/media appearances from the past week.
ARTICLES/BLOGS
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
January 14th, 2022: Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival (All-Day)
Podcasts You May Have Missed
Catch up on District of Conservation episodes below.
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—Gabriella