Upgrading from Gas to Electric? Support Bills Proposed to Defray Costs.

April 3, 2022

In 2021 I decided to purchase a new range. My 25 year old gas range heated up my kitchen and was inconsistent in temperatures when I was baking. I decided I wanted an electric double oven, one with convection capability. I feel it is important energy users use less gas and switch to (hopefully renewable) electric. My new range was delivered and then sat in the middle of my kitchen for a month until I would come up with an inexpensive solution to finding more room in my electrical box to add the 220 volt outlet required to power my new range.

My guess is that this problem exists for many people in MN who want to upgrade their gas appliances to cleaner and more efficient electric technologies. Help could be on the way!

Representative Athena Hollins and Senator Jason Rarick are proposing bills that would create an assistance program for property owners who want to upgrade and future-proof their electric panels. The goal is to make Minnesota's existing housing stock innovation-ready while providing important health and safety benefits and reducing future costs.

Please contact your legislators and ask them to support SF 4024/HF3897. These bills will create an assistance program to upgrade your home's electric system. If you wish to go one step further, contact Rep. Hollins or Sen. Rarick to thank them for sponsoring this legislation.

Article by Katherine Schafer.