This really isn’t a sign of progress. Resistive electric water heaters have long been preferred by cheap, shitty apartment managers because they are cheaper to install/maintain. The expense of operating these (significantly higher than their natural gas alternatives) is handled by the tenant, so that’s someone else’s problem. An increase in low-quality housing, which almost always has terrible insulation, is not a good thing for the world on any level.

If these were heat pump water heaters I would have a different opinion, but the article clearly states the data does not distinguish.

FTFA:

A few years and one pandemic later, the company filed for bankruptcy on Monday,

It’s also in a bunch of comments already

Companies do not fuck around when an AG comes around. Enough complaints, or complaints that are ignored, is a quick way to get sued by the AG. The AG’s office has extensive resources to easily win in court, even getting your entire company’s - including parent and children companies - banned across the entire state.

It’s also pretty easy to get the AG involved. You have to provide a decent amount of supporting documentation, but most states have an online form you can file.

As an example, 20 years ago, a company tried to deny me a mail-in rebate. This was while my state AG was actively suing them for not paying rebates. I spent 30 minutes filling out the form with the required evidence. Receipts, etc. A month later I had my $15 rebate check, no additional questions asked.