The House on Tuesday approved legislation to limit the Department of Energy’s ability to update energy savings standards on basic home appliances — legislation the industry didn’t want.
H.R. 6192, the “Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act,” from Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.), would prohibit DOE from implementing standards for appliances like stoves and dishwashers if they are not “technically feasible and economically justified” and do not result in “significant conservation of energy.”
It passed 212-195, with seven Democrats crossing the aisle to support the bill. They included moderate Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Mary Peltola of Alaska and Jared Golden of Maine.
While Lesko and Republicans said “crazy radical” Biden efficiency standards are raising utility bills for Americans, Democrats said longstanding rules have made appliances such as refrigerators run cheaper and better.
