WASHINGTON DC (2/27/28) – Today, the U.S. House voted 221-198-2 to pass H.J.Res. 20. The resolution uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to express congressional disapproval of the Department of Energy’s ban on certain gas-fueled water heaters. The vote will be scored for AEA’s American Energy Scorecard.
Tom Pyle, President of the American Energy Alliance, released the following statement:
“The Department of Energy’s water heater rule is an outdated holdover from a bygone era. Energy efficiency standards were originally established 50 years ago, during a time when there were concerns about the U.S. depleting its domestic energy supplies and becoming too dependent on the Middle East. That scenario is no longer relevant—today, the U.S. is the world’s leading producer of both natural gas and oil. Meanwhile, technological advancements have made appliances incredibly efficient, to the point where these current regulations would only save consumers a few dollars annually—if at all. These minimal savings, which come at the cost of convenience and consumer choice, highlight the futility and harm of the rule. In reality, the rule isn’t about saving consumers money; it’s an attempt to push them away from energy sources that the previous administration disapproved of.
“Shameful regulations like these not only limit consumer freedom and choice, but they also almost always hit low-income and elderly Americans the hardest. I am pleased to see House members prioritized this repeal and are continuing to put the American people first. I look forward to seeing the Senate taking the same actions.”
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