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New Bill Aims to Curb Energy-Efficiency Standards for Home Appliances

Passage of the act by the House would add hurdles to creating new appliance standards and also make it easier to revoke existing standards

May 5, 2024

Image: Rashevskyi Media / stock.adobe.com

On May 7, the House passed a bill that will make it more difficult for the U.S. Department of Energy to enact energy-efficiency rules for household appliances, The Hill reports. Part of the Republican party's home appliance-related agenda, which includes the Liberty in Laundry Act (HR 7673) and the Refrigerator Freedom Act (HR 7637), among other proposed legislation,The Hands Off Our Home Appliances (HOOHA) Act got 212 votes for and 195 against, with seven Democrats breaking ranks to vote with Republicans in favor of the measure.

Republicans have repeatedly hammered Democrats over their efforts to make appliances more energy efficient but the legislation is unlikely to move beyond the lower chamber.

PB Topical Ref

Energy Efficiency

Government + Policy

Appliances