A handful of House Democrats joined Republicans in passing legislation aimed at blocking new energy efficiency standards for refrigerators and dishwashers proposed by the Biden administration. The Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act, introduced by Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., and the Refrigerator Freedom Act, introduced by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, were both passed along party lines on Tuesday evening.
Seven House Democrats voted in favor of each bill. The dishwasher standards legislation passed with a vote of 214-192, with no dissent from the GOP. The refrigerator bill passed with a vote of 212-192, with one Republican voting against it. Both bills aim to prevent the Secretary of Energy from enacting and enforcing energy efficiency standards for residential refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers that are deemed not technologically feasible or economically justified.
House Republicans argue that the new standards proposed by the Department of Energy (DOE) would increase the upfront costs of these appliances, making them less affordable for consumers. They also claim that the standards would not result in significant energy conservation. Rep. Langworthy accused the Biden administration of a “relentless assault on efficient, affordable, and reliable appliances for everyday Americans” during the debate on the bill.
The DOE has stated that its new proposed rule on dishwashers would save Americans $652 million in utility payments and reduce the appliances’ water usage by more than a quarter. However, House Republicans argue that the DOE’s own analysis shows that the efficiency mandates could increase the upfront cost by 28%, and it could take consumers 12 years to recoup the increased costs on a product that may only last 7-12 years.
Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., countered that the Republicans’ calculations were outdated and related to an earlier rule. He maintained that the payback time for dishwashers under the new standard would be 3.9 years. The DOE’s new rules for residential refrigerators and freezers, proposed earlier this year, are projected to save consumers more than $36 billion over 30 years. However, House Republicans point to a DOE projection that suggests the efficiency mandates could increase the upfront costs by 25%, and it could take consumers 10 years to recoup the increased costs for a product that may only last 14-15 years.
The debate on the dishwasher bill became heated when Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., and Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., exchanged words about their familiarity with the appliance. Porter criticized the bill, calling it “ridiculous” and “Congress at its worst.” She argued that it was absurd for lawmakers who have never unloaded a dishwasher to dictate what kind of dishwasher Americans should buy. Duncan responded by sharing his personal experience with dishwashers and argued that the new standards would make them less efficient.
The DOE has noted that the updated standards fulfill the requirements of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to reflect changes in technology. However, the department has faced increasing pushback from Republicans, who argue that the efficiency changes are unworkable for manufacturers and would raise costs. Rep. Miller-Meeks stated that the regulations would only serve to increase prices for essential home appliances, reduce consumer choices, and impair their performance while claiming to fix a problem that does not exist.
House Republicans have passed similar bills before. In May, the House passed a more sweeping bill that would require all energy efficiency standards to meet requirements such as significant conservation of energy or water. The bill would also allow the department to grant a petition to revoke or amend energy conservation standards if it finds they are not feasible with current technology.
In response to comments from a member of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the House passed two bills last year that would prohibit the administration from finalizing any regulation prohibiting gas stoves. Each of these bills has passed with a small minority of Democrats joining the Republican majority. However, many Democrats, including Energy and Commerce ranking member Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., have mocked the bills and questioned Republican priorities.
Jeffries criticized the focus on these bills, questioning why the House was dealing with issues like “liberty for laundry” and “defending the dignity of dishwashers” when there are more pressing challenges facing the American people. The White House has also expressed strong opposition to the bills.
Source: Fox News, Roll Call
