>I also get constant positive feedback from news like this regarding my reminders to my parents (they live in the Romanian countryside) that they should never install gas-heating in their house, that they should continue relying on wood-based stoves.

These limiters aren't being installed by an oppressive government/utility willy-nilly. They got installed because the customer couldn't pay the bills. I'm not sure how using a wood stove fixes this. If you don't have any money what are you going to do? Steal some firewood? Head to the local park at night and cut down some trees? At least with electricity, the utility is willing to give you some small amount even if you can't pay.

> These limiters aren't being installed by an oppressive government/utility willy-nilly.

Didn't say anything about the government, directly. But here in Europe the increased gas prices are the result of government actions. Increased gas prices mean increased chances of not paying one's bills.

> I'm not sure how using a wood stove fixes this

It gives you more independence, a stove it's much more liberal with what it can accept as inputs. Compared to gas-heating, for example.

These folks don't have the money to pay their electricity bills. What makes you think they have the money to move?

Unless you parents are lucky enough to own a small forest then even wood burning for heat and cooking is still going to rely on someone else.

In case of real need almost everything can be put inside of a stove.