Congress kills energy-efficiency rule for commercial refrigeration
H.J.Res. 24 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers". · Filed by Stephanie Bice (R-OK) · 10 cosponsors · Introduced Jan 16, 2025 · Signed
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What it does
This resolution uses the Congressional Review Act to block a Department of Energy rule that would have set new energy-efficiency standards for commercial walk-in coolers and freezers. The rule is now void and cannot take effect. The resolution does not explain why Congress opposes the rule, only that it does.
Why we flagged it
This is a straightforward Congressional Review Act disapproval resolution that kills a specific DOE energy-efficiency rule. It does exactly one thing: invoke the CRA mechanism to nullify the walk-in cooler/freezer standards rule published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2024.
What the text implies
- Blocking the rule removes a federal energy-efficiency floor, allowing manufacturers to continue selling less-efficient equipment without penalty, reducing competitive pressure on the industry to innovate toward efficiency.
- Commercial refrigeration is a significant energy consumer; removing standards may increase aggregate electricity demand and associated grid strain, with costs borne by all utility ratepayers.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturers; walk-in cooler and freezer suppliers