Gas Cooking Will Be Banned Under Vancouver "Green Building" Proposal

OTTAWA, Dec. 2, 2016 /CNW/ -- The Vancouver City Council made changes to the city's Green Building Policy for Rezoning that will effectively ban the use of natural gas appliances, including gas cooktops and ovens, and gas clothes dryers in newly constructed housing.

The proposal effectively bans the use of natural gas appliances from buildings that are constructed beginning in 2020 by reducing gas usage by 70% and ultimately by 100% by the year 2050.

"Consumers should be free to choose whether they want to cook using a gas or electric cooktop, and whether they wish to own a gas or electric clothes dryer," stated Bruce Rebel, Vice President and General Manager of AHAM Canada.  

AHAM opposes the proposal, as city officials have not allowed sufficient time for discussion with residents and stakeholders and effective analysis of the potential repercussions of the plan. Furthermore, the proposal will create a confusing patchwork of energy regulations in British Columbia. Residents in nearby Metro Vancouver, for example, would still be permitted to install and use gas-burning appliances. AHAM calls on the City of Vancouver to work with residents and stakeholders to develop a more comprehensive proposal that does not increase utility costs or limit consumer choice.   

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is a not-for-profit trade association representing manufacturers of major and portable home appliances, floor care appliances and suppliers to the industry with headquarters in Washington, DC and an office in Ottawa, Ontario. Visit AHAM's website at www.aham.org.

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SOURCE Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

Jill Notini, t 202.872.5955 x318, [email protected], http://www.aham.org