Dear Governor and State regulators:

Do NOT ban gas cooktops.

Instead, consider the better compromise: 

While reviewing a "gas ban," we, the undersigned, petition you to look at a better approach to allow gas use for its greatest utility while conserving or reducing the need where it is not at really necessary.

What we are calling for:

For new residential construction, ban the installation of any gas fueled equipment or appliances  EXCEPT FOR  gas cooktops and instantaneous hot water heaters.

Gas cooktops and gas instantaneous hot water heaters provide utility that is not readily matched by the electrical alternatives.

In contrast, gas OVENS are equaled if not bested by their electric counterparts.  The same goes for clothes dryers, tank water heaters, and home heating systems.

To be clear, we are calling for a ban on installing gas ovens but not gas cooktops; and similarly, a ban on tank gas water heaters but not tankless gas water heaters

To the major points of discussion: indoor air quality and environmental impact, this enhanced policy will provide the best of both worlds: Significantly reducing the amount of gas needed where it is less useful while maintaining usage, at much lower rate, where it is most effective. 

It is also worth mentioning that it is a developer's tendency to take the path of least resistance.  Given the choice within this balanced approach, he or she will likely choose to have no gas service at all for their new construction projects in markets they deem it not worth the expense.  For a great many projects, the results will be similar to an all-out ban.

There is extreme polarization in this country... Red v. Blue....  While New York will phase in an all-out ban, Texas has implemented a ban on bans.  This improved policy is an opportunity to demonstrate that compromise is still a valued component of our democratic process.