President Trump on Friday signed four Congressional Review Act resolutions that will roll back energy efficiency standards and rules passed in the waning days of the Biden administration.
The CRA allows Congress to rescind rules passed by federal agencies. The act, enacted as part of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act in 1996, applies to interim and final rules.
The rules Trump rescinded Friday covered tankless natural gas water heaters, commercial refrigerators and freezers and walk-in coolers. A fourth resolution did away with certification requirements for a range of products subject to energy efficiency standards, but it did not alter the efficiency requirements themselves, according to the Appliance Standards Awareness Project.
The water heater standard was expected to reduce total costs for consumers by an average of $112 over the life of the appliance, according to a fact sheet from the group. The rule for commercial refrigerators and freezers was expected to save businesses $4.6 billion and walk in cooler standards would have saved businesses up to $6.5 billion, both over 30 years of those products’ sales, the group said.
“President Trump just signed a series of bills that will raise costs for families and businesses,” ASAP Executive Director Andrew deLaski said in an email.
Trump has opposed energy efficiency requirements and has taken other steps to reduce regulation and oversight. The Environmental Protection Agency plans to end its popular Energy Star program, which helps consumers identify energy-efficient home appliances.
“It’s all about common sense,” Trump said at the signing ceremony Friday, arguing that the efficiency rules cost businesses money and leave consumers with less product choice.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, had proposed the resolution rescinding regulations for natural gas water heaters.
“The Biden-Harris administration knew they were increasing costs on American consumers and limiting consumers' ability to choose the heater that works best for them, but they didn't care. President Trump's signature today will ensure this anti-consumer regulation is permanently revoked,” he said in a statement.
