The Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday finalized or proposed a series of regulatory actions to address numerous devices.
The Energy Department has proposed new rules to promote “energy-efficient” commercial fans and blowers and also finalized energy efficiency standards for refrigerators and freezers, the agency announced Friday. The regulatory actions are the latest in a series of moves by the Biden administration aimed at phasing out a variety of fossil fuel-powered devices and replacing them in the market with more energy-efficient, and often electric, equivalents.
“Today’s announcement is a testament to the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to reducing utility costs for working families, while helping to strengthen energy independence and combat the climate crisis,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said of her agency’s actions . “DOE will continue to work quickly in 2024 – along with our industry partners and stakeholders – to update and strengthen outdated energy efficiency standards, which is critical to innovation, more consumer options and healthier communities.” (RELATED: Biden admin's latest spending spree amounts to backdoor ban on gas-powered appliances, experts say)
REPORTER:
“We’ve seen them go after gas stoves…how many more home appliances will Americans end up having to replace?” pic.twitter.com/JgjQyiPGK0
– Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 24, 2023
Compliance with final refrigerator and freezer standards will be required starting in 2029 or 2030, depending on the model and configuration of the appliances, according to the agency. The Energy Department expects the rule to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 100 million tons.
According to the DOE, the proposed regulations are based on those that already apply in California. The rules are set to come into force from 2029 and are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 300 million tonnes.
The Biden administration, particularly under the leadership of the Department of Energy, has enacted numerous regulatory measures aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuel-powered appliances, which tend to be cheaper to begin with than their more “energy efficient” counterparts. Other devices the administration sought to regulate include water heaters, gas-powered portable generators, furnaces and pool pump motors.
Numerous energy policy experts have claimed that the Biden administration's regulatory push on appliances will likely limit consumer choice and impose higher upfront costs to combat climate change. The Department of Energy, on the other hand, estimates that the full range of energy efficiency regulations will save consumers about $1 trillion over the next 30 years.
The DOE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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