I think they're proposing switching your furnace from hard wired to plugged, so you have the option to power it either from an outlet (grid) or solar/generator/etc. This can't backfeed the grid, and is very safe.

It looks like when it's against code it's "by default": if an appliance is not explicitly listed as acceptable for a plug it has to be hard wired. ND and OK have passed state level amendments allowing it, some places have done this locally, and in many places building inspectors allow it with their discretion.