Pashuteh Yid-
A couple of minor points:
The reason why a pilot light is different than electrical ignition is simply that if you turn off the electric one, you can never turn it back on till after YT, whereas the pilot oven can be turned back on if it goes out when you turn it down to prevent food from burning (assuming it is one connected flame, which some posters here have disputed).
1) An burner that is normally lit via electronic ignition can be relit on Yom Tov, just not via the ignitor (i.e. use a candle, cigarette, etc.)
2) There is no dispute or question that turning on a burner which uses a pilot is not starting a new flame. The issue is only regarding turning off that burner.
Incidentally, regarding turning on electric light on YT, I grew up in a different part of the country than Oomis, and remember hearing that some rabbonim would permit turning light on, but not off, if there was great need, although this is not mainstream these days, and may be one of the earlier piskei halacha of electricity, before things became more standardized in the klal.
Turning on an incandescent light is a problem above and beyond other electricity issues, due to the fact that making a metal glow is aish as well (as “PM” mentioned above). Fluorescent lighting, LEDs, and other lighting methods that don’t result in glowing metals may only have the “electricity” issue (although be aware – the electrodes within a fluorescent bulb sometimes glow red).
According to an online article written by Rabbi Michael Broyde & Rabbi Howard Jachter (I don’t know if they are people the community relies on), electricity issues on Shabbos include:
1. Turning on an appliance is analogous to creating something new (molid) which is prohibited on Shabbat.
2. Completion of a circuit is prohibited because it is a form of building (boneh).
3. Turning on an appliance violates the prohibition of ma’keh bepatish (completing a product).
4. Completion of a circuit must kindle sparks and therefore is prohibited because it creates a flame.
5. The use of any electrical current leads to an increase in fuel consumption at the power station, which is prohibited.
6. Heating of a metal transistor or wire, even when no visible light is emitted, is prohibited because of cooking or burning.