California is a leader in the clean energy revolution. From electric vehicles to consumer goods, The Golden State has some of the most progressive policies and goals aimed at decarbonization.

Earlier this week, California Congressman Doug LaMalfa spoke on the House floor in a speech that Forbes called an "Epic Rant Against Gavin Newsom".

One of his main arguments centered around electric reliability in the Sierra Nevada.

Congressman LaMalfa evoked communities hit hard by power outages last winter in towns like Truckee and South Lake Tahoe.

He contends banning gas engines and appliances in those communities would put residents in dangerous circumstances, particularly because the electricity grid has proven unreliable. 

"When the winter came in, residents in Sierra Nevada lost power for many days due to heavy snowstorms knocking the power out," said (R) 1st District of California Congressman Doug LaMalfa. "They're mandating more and more electricity use, forcing us into vehicles we can't afford or don't want, also they want to ban gas stoves and gas water heaters and make them be on the grid as well."

2 News reached out to Clean Air Resource Board, or CARB.

While local jurisdictions like Berkley have banned gas hookups in new residences and commercial buildings, CARB tells us there is no statewide prohibition.

"Currently, there is no regulation on the sale of gas heaters, hot water tanks or stoves. As part of efforts to reduce harmful emissions and reach carbon neutrality by 2045, CARB staff expects to have a proposal to the board in 2025 for regulations that phase out the sale of new gas space and hot water heaters by 2030. Any future rule would not affect the existing use of those appliances, and Californians will be able to keep and use them for the remainder of their useful life even if a new rule is put in place," wrote California Air Resource Board Public Information Officer Dave Clegern. 

"Phasing out gas powered appliances is necessary to meet federal ozone, or smog, standards. It is also estimated that regulations on gas-powered space and hot water heaters will reduce particulate matter, which are microscopic elements of pollution that embed in people’s lungs and bloodstream that contribute to the deaths of 5,000 Californians each year," continued Clegern. 

Another barrier to onboarding more clean energy in California is the state's rising electricity prices.

"Enough is enough, we need to keep these electricity rates down especially if they're going to push everybody to electricity," said The Utility Reform Network (TURN) Executive Director Mark Toney

TURN is pressuring PG&E, Pacific Gas to keep the cost of electricity down as California aggressively pursues more electrification of the energy system. 

"People can adapt to go from gas to electric. They are mad when they're told you have to pay more to cook your food. The winning argument is to say, we want you to switch to electricity and your going to save money," said Toney.

As for Sierra Nevada towns facing weather caused power outages, CARB tells us that residents can use their gas powered back up generators, but starting in 2028 they will enforce stricter emissions standards.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is among House Republicans supporting H.R. 1435 Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, which would prevent states from mandating that all cars are Electric Vehicles.

California is set to eliminate the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines by 2035.Â