Trump administration announces ‘illegal’ rollback of energy and water efficiency standards
1 min read
Summary
The US Energy Department plans to roll back energy efficiency standards for a number of appliances, in what some observers are terming a “patently illegal” move given that the changes would reverse progress on conserving energy and water, and increase costs for consumers.
The rules, which are part of the Trump administration’s deregulatory drive, aim to revise or remove restrictions on commercial clothes washers, microwave ovens, conventional ovens, dishwashers and faucets, among others.
The changes would return standards to levels set by Congress many years ago, and remove them entirely where Congress had not originally set limits.
Observers point out that the proposed rules would lead to increased utility bills for consumers and potentially higher manufacturing costs for appliance makers.