TRENTON, NJ – In a last-minute push before leaving office, the Biden administration finalized a rule that would effectively ban non-condensing natural gas water heaters by 2029, aiming to curb carbon emissions. However, this move has sparked a swift backlash from House Republicans, who argue it infringes on consumer freedom and burdens families with higher costs. On Wednesday, the GOP-led House passed a bill to roll back this regulation, with Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) leading the charge, declaring it a stand against “Democrats’ attempt to control your life.”
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution, introduced by Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), seeks to overturn the Department of Energy’s rule, which critics say would force households to adopt more expensive condensing gas or electric heat pump water heaters.
Hudson took to social media, stating, “Joe Biden’s last-minute rule to ban natural gas water heaters takes away your freedom to choose what’s best for your family. Worse, it hikes up costs for you.”
The House vote signals a broader Republican effort to dismantle what they call overreaching climate policies as the party prepares to take full control of Congress in 2025.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy has been a vocal advocate for shifting away from natural gas, aligning with the Biden administration’s climate goals. Murphy’s administration has pushed an ambitious “decarbonization” agenda, encouraging electrification of homes and businesses. In July 2023, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved measures offering incentives for building owners to switch from gas to electric heat, part of a larger plan to install zero-carbon-emission heating and cooling systems in 400,000 homes and 20,000 commercial properties by 2030. While not an outright ban, critics argue these policies pave the way for mandates, echoing the federal water heater rule.
New Jersey’s efforts have met with fierce opposition from Republican lawmakers and business groups, who warn of costly retrofits and strain on the state’s electric grid. State Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) has claimed that “the ultimate goal of ‘building decarbonization’ and Gov. Murphy’s extreme green energy plan is the elimination of affordable natural gas,” predicting higher energy bills and limited consumer choice. The New Jersey Business and Industry Association has also raised concerns, estimating the electrification push could cost upwards of $1 trillion statewide, a figure disputed by Murphy’s administration.
Governor Murphy has repeatedly denied plans to forcibly remove gas appliances, emphasizing voluntary incentives.
“No one is coming for anyone’s gas stove,” he said in 2023, addressing fears stoked by GOP rhetoric.
Yet, the state’s trajectory mirrors actions in places like California, where gas appliances are being phased out, and New York, the first state to ban natural gas in most new buildings.
In New Jersey, the BPU’s president, Joseph Fiordaliso, has dismissed accusations of a hidden ban agenda as “misinformation,” but skepticism persists among residents and lawmakers alike.
The federal rollback effort now heads to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain under Democratic control until the new Congress convenes. If successful, it could undermine state-level pushes like New Jersey’s, offering a reprieve to households reliant on natural gas—a fuel that powers millions of American homes for its affordability and reliability.
Proponents of the Biden rule, including environmental groups, argue it’s a necessary step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, projecting a cut of 32 million metric tons over 30 years from water heaters alone. However, opponents, including the National Propane Gas Association, counter that the economic burden—estimated at hundreds of millions for manufacturers and thousands per household for retrofits—outweighs the benefits.
In New Jersey, the debate is far from settled.
As the state pursues its clean energy goals, the clash between consumer choice, cost, and climate action continues to intensify, with the House GOP’s latest move adding fuel to an already heated controversy.