Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

A tax would be better than a ban. The tax can increase every year. And the money from the tax could be redirected to help people transition to electric.

The downside of a tax is it's harder to implement, so there will be inefficiency in the system. A ban is easy.



A tax would also affect old homes. This proposal only affects new homes.

It's really a slow phaseout. People are getting upset over nothing. You're not all buying new homes anyway.


The long term effect of such legislation, especially if replicated in other jurisdictions, is that OEMs will cease to manufacture LNG/LP appliances because of lack of demand.

If OEMs no longer sell LNG/LP appliances, vendors that make LNG/LP components (burners, orifices, combustion chambers, etc.) stop making them. Over time, appliances become unserviceable.

Then consumers must purchase electric appliances, even if they are not a viable option—because they are the only option.

You are correct; there is no cause for immediate concern for existing appliances and existing residences. But over time, only electric appliances (and parts) will be available for purchase, and that is precisely the intent.

Just as California emissions laws generally set the standard for automobiles that are available for purchase in the US, this legislation will have far reaching affects across the country.


You cannot focus on only the negatives to determine if something is worthwhile.

We banned leaded fuels for cars. That made driving more expensive for people with older cars with engines designed for leaded fuel.

It also removed a lot of lead pollution.

The ban on CFCs for most air conditioning meant people had to find substitutes, and switch out cooling systems. That was expensive.

But it did not outweigh the effects of the increasing hole in the ozone layer.

People die every year from CO poisoning due to their gas furnaces.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: