"Legislation the Senate is considering would make it “essentially impossible” to set new standards, said one advocate."
"The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources heard testimony Wednesday on the Energy Efficiency Reform Act. The new bill would make it much more difficult for the Department of Energy to update energy efficiency standards for home appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and boilers. It would also set a path for the department to backslide on existing energy efficiency mandates.
Through the federal Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, which was authorized under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, the Department of Energy sets binding minimum efficiency standards for electricity and water consumption for a variety of home and industrial products. The department reviews an appliance’s standards every six years at a minimum. The standards are intended to provide uniform requirements across the country and “to promote grid resiliency and reliability by reducing peak demand,” according to a factsheet the Department of Energy released last year.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), with the backing of the Department of Energy, wants to make sweeping changes to this program, establishing significant hurdles to setting new efficiency standards.
“At the end of the day, it’s about giving Americans the choice—the freedom to choose what works best for them and their family,” said Lee, the bill’s sponsor, during the hearing."
Lauren Dalban reports for Inside Climate News September 16, 2026.
