House passes measure to regulate Biden’s devices

The House has passed a measure to block the Energy Secretary from enforcing energy efficiency standards for various kitchen appliances, a move Republicans have sought to paint as a war on consumers by the Biden administration.

Two bills that would prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy efficiency standards for refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers that are not “cost-effective or technologically feasible” passed mostly along party lines. The refrigerator and freezer regulation bill, led by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), passed the lower chamber on a 212-192 vote, with seven Democrats in favor. Another bill to regulate efficiency standards for dishwashers, introduced by Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY), passed on a 214-192 vote.

The bills target the Energy Department’s efforts to tighten efficiency standards for a range of appliances, which Republicans say would raise costs for customers while limiting consumer choice. The efficiency standards, which were finalized by the DOE earlier this year and in late 2023, were proposed to reduce energy use, cut carbon pollution and lower utility bills for homes and businesses.

The White House issued administration policy statements opposing the two bills — but stopped short of threatening a veto.

“These bills add unclear, confusing provisions to the law that could increase uncertainty in implementing these standards and create unnecessary obstacles for DOE in making future updates,” the statement said. “For these reasons, the Administration strongly opposes these bills.”

The Department of Energy finalized regulations for home refrigerators and freezers in December, which will go into effect in January 2029 or 2030, depending on the appliance model. The DOE also finalized efficiency standards for dishwashers in April, with compliance required starting in 2027.

During his floor speech, Langworthy slammed the DOE regulations, calling them “draconian,” arguing that they “make no sense from either an affordability or energy perspective.”

“Under this administration’s latest dishwasher efficiency standards rule, the average American family will have to choose from fewer, more expensive appliances without real savings over the life of the appliance,” Langworthy said Tuesday.

Democrats responded by criticizing Republicans for wasting time on messaging that would likely stall in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

“I feel like I have to remind viewers that this is not Home Depot — this is supposed to be the United States Congress, where we should be dealing with the serious issues facing the American people,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), a ranking member of the House Rules Committee. “Unfortunately, under Republican leadership, we never do that.”

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The League of Conservation Voters, an environmental advocacy group, sent a letter to its members Tuesday urging them to oppose the Republican-led measure. The group argued that the efficiency standards would reduce the burden on the grid and limited water resources while improving system reliability.

Last September, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, along with other industry and advocacy groups, announced its support for updating home appliance standards and published a set of recommended proposals for DOE adoption.