Trenton, NJ – A bill pending in the New Jersey Legislature would prohibit state agencies, counties, and municipalities from adopting rules that ban the installation or use of Natural Gas kitchen appliances in homes and businesses.
According to Assembly Bill No. 163, sponsored by Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia and Assemblyman Michael Inganamort, government entities would be barred from prohibiting fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances, including natural gas ovens and stoves, provided they comply with applicable federal regulations and state regulations in effect when the law takes effect.
Bill would preserve consumer choice
According to the bill, no state agency, county, or municipality could adopt a rule, regulation, or ordinance prohibiting the installation or use of fossil fuel-powered appliances in residential or commercial kitchens.
The legislation would still allow governments and private organizations to offer voluntary incentive programs encouraging residents and businesses to switch to electric kitchen appliances. It would not require anyone to continue using natural gas or prevent consumers from voluntarily choosing electric alternatives.
Court records are not involved in this matter. The information is based on the text of Assembly Bill 163 as introduced in the New Jersey Legislature.
Fantasia has opposed broader electrification policies
Fantasia has been one of the Legislature’s most outspoken critics of New Jersey’s clean energy policies. She has repeatedly opposed the state’s plan to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, arguing the policy limits consumer choice, places financial burdens on working families, and depends on an electrical grid she says is not prepared to support widespread vehicle electrification.
She has also opposed proposals that would reduce or eliminate the use of gas-powered appliances and heating systems in homes and businesses. According to legislative materials, Assembly Bill 163 is part of what she has described as the “Affordable Home Energy Protection Act,” an effort to prevent state and local governments from restricting fossil fuel-powered appliances.
As a member of the Assembly Republican Energy Affordability Task Force, Fantasia has also criticized New Jersey’s energy policies following major power outages during severe weather. She has argued those outages demonstrate the state’s electric infrastructure requires significant improvements before broader electrification mandates can be implemented.
Bill remains stalled in the Legislature
Assembly Bill 163 was pre-filed for the 2026 legislative session and remains pending in the Legislature. As of Tuesday, the proposal has not advanced through the committee process or received votes in either the Assembly or Senate.
Without committee approval, the bill cannot move to floor votes in either chamber. It would also require the governor’s signature before becoming law.
Why it matters
The proposal reflects the broader debate over New Jersey’s energy policy as lawmakers consider efforts to expand electrification while balancing consumer choice and energy reliability. Supporters argue the bill protects homeowners and businesses from future bans on natural gas appliances, while opponents of similar legislation generally favor electrification as part of the state’s climate and emissions reduction goals.
Key Points
- Assembly Bill 163 would prohibit state and local governments from banning natural gas and other fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances.
- Sponsor Dawn Fantasia has also opposed New Jersey’s planned transition away from new gasoline-powered vehicles and has raised concerns about electric grid reliability.
- The legislation has not advanced through the committee process and remains pending in the New Jersey Legislature.
