House Republicans are escalating their campaign against federal efficiency standards, scheduling floor votes this week on two bills that would roll back Biden-era rulemaking and curb the federal government’s authority to issue new regulations.
The House will vote on the “Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act,” H.R. 4626, sponsored by Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.), and the “Homeowner Energy Freedom Act,” H.R. 4758, from Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Texas).
Allen’s bill has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and energy-efficiency advocates, who warn it would erect new procedural hurdles for the Department of Energy while giving the agency broader authority to weaken or repeal existing efficiency standards.
One provision, for example, would prohibit standards — no matter their savings for consumers — in cases where the additional upfront cost is paid back in more than three years.
