The House of Representatives passed a bill that would limit the Department of Energy’s authority to set energy conservation standards for household appliances, a measure Republicans argue would prevent the agency from imposing unrealistic standards that raise costs for families.
The House voted 217-190 on Tuesday to pass a bill written by Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA) that would amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which requires the DOE to set minimum efficiency standards for consumer appliances and commercial equipment.
The bill would “prevent future administrations from prioritizing a radical rush-to-green agenda over the affordability and availability of reliable household appliances that Americans rely on every day,” Allen said in December.
The bill, the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act, is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration and Republicans to repeal or reduce energy efficiency standards, which they argue would lower consumer costs and regulatory burdens for businesses.
Specifically, the bill would terminate the requirement that the DOE periodically update energy conservation standards and allow the agency to amend those standards as needed.
It would create a new process for the public to petition for specific energy standards and impose new criteria for whether an energy conservation standard is economically justifiable and technologically feasible. It would also ban the DOE from updating energy conservation standards for distribution transformers.
Republicans said the resolution would prevent unrealistic and stringent regulations on gas stoves, refrigerators, freezers, washers, and air conditioners — like those implemented by the Biden administration.
However, the Appliance Standards Awareness Project opposed the bill, arguing that appliance and equipment standards save consumers money. The nonprofit organization, which advocates in favor of stronger energy and water standards, added that the resolution would give the president the power to terminate existing standards.
“The Trump administration could concoct erroneous new analyses or reasoning to justify such a revocation, and dare courts to reject them—with the outcomes uncertain,” the group said.
The House will also vote on Wednesday on the “Homeowner Energy Freedom Act,” which was introduced by Rep. Craig Goldman (R-TX).
The bill would repeal several sections of the Inflation Reduction Act, including rescinding appropriations for the DOE to establish a new high-efficiency electric home rebate program, home energy efficiency contractor training grants, and financial assistance to states to meet the latest energy conservation building codes.
In a statement, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) said, “The true cost of homeownership rose during the Biden-Harris Administration because of heavy-handed government mandates.
EPA AND CLIMATE GROUPS BATTLE IN COURT OVER CANCELED $20 BILLION IN CLEAN ENERGY GRANTS
“Unworkable policies created new and unattainable energy standards under the banner of a radical rush-to-green agenda that raises prices and harms American families,” he said. “As President Trump discusses his vision for reliable and affordable energy, House Republicans are working to support the commonsense work his Administration is doing to make life more affordable for families across the country.”
