Energy Department proposes to cut 47 rules in 'largest deregulatory effort in history'

The Energy Department has announced proposals to cut dozens of energy efficiency and other rules in what it is describing as the ”‘largest deregulatory effort in history.”

The department plans to ax a long list of efficiency regulations, including those pertaining to stoves, ovens, showerheads, clothes washers, dishwashers and microwaves.

The rules also apply to a smattering of other policies ranging for guidelines under which the department buys oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to nondiscrimination requirements for grant recipients.

This step does not immediately get rid of the regulations but launches that process.

“While it would normally take years for the Department of Energy to remove just a handful of regulations, the Trump Administration assembled a team working around the clock to reduce costs and deliver results for the American people in just over 110 days,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a written statement. 

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are bringing back common sense — slashing regulations meant to appease Green New Deal fantasies, restrict consumer choice and increase costs for the American people. Promises made, promises kept,” Wright added.

Republicans generally have criticized energy and water efficiency standards as limitations on consumer choice. Supporters of these standards, however, have described them as a win-win in which customers can help the planet and save money on their monthly bills. 

“If this attack on consumers succeeds, President Trump would be raising costs dramatically for families as manufacturers dump energy- and water-wasting products into the market. Fortunately, it’s patently illegal, so hold your horses,” said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, in a written statement.

He was particularly referring to anti-backsliding provisions in the law that prevent the Energy Department from increasing “maximum allowable energy use” or decreasing “minimum required energy efficiency.”