A resolution was passed in the House on Thursday to block a Biden-era appliance regulation, with a few House Democrats joining Republicans in the decision. The Department of Energy (DOE) had introduced a new rule towards the end of former President Joe Biden's term, aiming to prohibit non-condensing, natural-gas-fired water heaters by 2029. However, this rule, scheduled to take effect in March, encountered opposition after the House voted to overturn it, with all House Republicans and 11 Democrats supporting the resolution.
Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., who introduced the Congressional Review Act (CRA) in January, expressed concerns about Democratic control and its impact on consumer choices. He emphasized the need to restore a quality of life that existed before the Democratic Party gained power in various government branches.
The resolution was backed by the belief that it would help Americans afford essential items like groceries, automobiles, and education. The vote was influenced by the potential job losses highlighted by Frank Windsor, the owner of a tankless water heater manufacturing facility. Windsor warned that the ban on efficient water heating technology could jeopardize hundreds of jobs and does not align with consumer interests.
House Republicans are actively working to challenge Biden's climate agenda by introducing resolutions to overturn regulations on household appliances. In a separate move, the House also passed a resolution to reverse the Biden-era Environmental Protection Agency's Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program.
On the same day, a Democrat-led resolution attempting to overturn President Donald Trump's executive order declaring an 'energy emergency' failed to pass in the Senate. These recent developments reflect the ongoing debates and actions surrounding energy policies and regulations in the United States.
