California city aims to increase gas stove prices to discourage natural gas infrastructure.

The city of Berkeley's efforts to increase the cost of gas stove installation in commercial and residential buildings were criticized by the Wall Street Journal editorial board.

The Wall Street Journal published an editorial on Thursday stating that Democrats maintain they have no intention of taking away gas stoves, yet the People's Republic of Berkeley is attempting to make them obsolete through taxation.

The Biden-Harris administration faced criticism from consumers and businesses over its energy efficiency regulations for gas-powered stovetops, which were part of its broader climate agenda. The administration later abandoned a more aggressive proposal that was announced in 2023.

The initiative in Berkeley aims to discourage the use of outdated natural gas infrastructure and reduce the associated greenhouse gas emissions in commercial and large residential buildings, thereby minimizing the environmental and health risks associated with the consumption and transportation of natural gas.

The Journal reported that the government plans to impose an excise tax on commercial and multifamily apartment buildings, starting at $2.96 per therm consumed, which is roughly twice the U.S. average residential retail price for natural gas. This would result in an additional $180 per month for a typical household's gas consumption.

The purpose of this policy is to force building owners to switch from gas to electric appliances, despite the high cost and impracticality of doing so.

In order to pass the gas tax, only a simple majority of Berkeley voters is required, which may be achievable given that only 4% of voters in the city are registered Republicans.

If the gas tax passes in Berkeley, voters will have to bear the consequences, but the use of coercion in California has a tendency to spread throughout the country, including to Congress, the Journal reported.

Berkeley did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment.