Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) introduced H.R. 4626, the Don't Mess with My Home Appliances Act. Following the Biden-Harris Administration's four-year assault on consumer choice, this legislation implements necessary reforms to the Energy Policy Conservation Act (EPCA) to 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.
Following the bill's introduction, Congressman Allen issued the statement below:
"Under the guise of energy efficiency, the Biden-Harris Administration waged a four-year war on domestic energy and consumer choice, and it was American families that paid the price. From gas stoves, refrigerators, and freezers, to washers, dryers, dish washers, and air conditioners—no household appliance was off limits in their pursuit of a radical rush-to-green agenda. We cannot allow that to happen again," said Congressman Allen.
"The Don't Mess with My Home Appliances Act is a necessary measure to prevent future administrations from issuing burdensome standards on household appliances that would drive up costs and reduce availability. I am grateful for Chairman Guthrie's and Chairman Latta's support as we preserve consumer choice and ensure the federal government does not tilt the scales on what appliances Americans should buy."
"Families should have the freedom to choose what home appliances they buy and use. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, heavy-handed mandates created unworkable regulations that led to higher prices," said Chairman Guthrie. "The Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances Act would reform the Department of Energy’s energy efficiency standards process to protect consumer choice and ensure American companies can continue to innovate. Thank you to Congressman Allen for leading this important legislation that stands up for working Americans."
"American families should have the right to choose the appliances that work best for their homes and needs. This commonsense bill puts consumers first by restoring flexibility, encouraging innovation, and ensuring there are not one-size-fits-all federal regulations. I thank Congressman Allen for his leadership on this effort to protect American families and businesses," said Rep. Bob Latta, Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
BACKGROUND: Enacted in 1975, the EPCA provides specific criteria the Department of Energy (DOE) must follow in order to propose a new appliance efficiency standard. The DOE may only propose a new standard if it results in a significant conservation of energy, is technologically feasible, and economically justified. The Biden-Harris Administration consistently ignored these critical consumer protections by proposing and finalizing standards that violate the statute. The Don't Mess with my Home Appliances Act would prevent future abuses by:
- Eliminating unnecessary and duplicative rulemaking requirements
- Authorizing the Secretary of Energy to amend or revoke a standard if it increases costs for consumers, does not result in significant energy or water savings, is not technologically feasible, or results in the unavailability of product
- Protecting affordability by requiring the DOE to consider the cost to low-income households and the full-life cycle cost of appliances when determining if the new standard is economically justified
- Establishing minimum thresholds for energy or water savings that must be achieved before imposing new standards
- Prohibiting the Secretary of Energy from banning products based on the type of fuel that product uses (no natural gas bans)
Full bill text can be viewed
HERE.
