U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has introduced a joint resolution of disapproval to overturn a Department of Energy (DOE) rule implemented during the Biden administration. This rule seeks to ban specific natural gas water heaters.
Several Republican lawmakers are backing a resolution aimed at preventing what they argue is government overreach, which they believe would limit consumer choice and lead to increased costs for American households.
Senator Cruz, in his statement while introducing the resolution, expressed his criticism of the Biden administration’s attempt to regulate household appliances by using climate policy as a cover.
“Once again, Democrats are waging a war on household appliances under the guise of combating climate change,” said Cruz. “This rule, rushed through by the Biden administration in its final days, does more harm than good. It forces American families to choose between costly, high-end models or less efficient alternatives—limiting their options and undermining their freedom of choice. American families deserve access to affordable, reliable appliances without unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles.”
Several Republican senators, including Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Jim Banks (R-Ind.), have expressed their support for the resolution.
The DOE regulation, if not repealed, could potentially eliminate around 40% of the current market for tankless gas water heaters. This would result in consumers having to spend an additional estimated $450 for alternative models that meet the new efficiency standards. Under the regulation, all new tankless gas water heaters would be required to use 13% less energy than the least efficient models currently on the market.
The ban will come into effect on March 11, 2025, and sales restrictions will start in 2029.
Several industry and consumer advocacy groups strongly support Senator Cruz’s resolution, as they believe it will lead to increased costs and limited choices for consumers. Notable backers of the resolution include:
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- American Public Gas Association (APGA)
- National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)
- American Energy Alliance (AEA)
- American Gas Association (AGA)
- Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
- Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
- Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO)
- National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)
- U.S. Oil & Gas Association (USOGA)
- Western Energy Alliance (WEA)
- Rinnai America
- Americans for Prosperity (AFP)
Senator Cruz and other Republicans are of the opinion that the rule imposes an unnecessary burden on American consumers and businesses. They believe that, especially in a time of high inflation and energy costs, such federal interference in the energy sector poses a threat to economic growth and limits consumer choice.
“Families are already struggling with higher costs for energy and home essentials,” said Senator Bill Cassidy. “This is yet another misguided policy that will disproportionately affect hardworking Americans.”
Both chambers of Congress will now take up the joint resolution presented under the Congressional Review Act. If passed, it would repeal the DOE regulation and forbid the implementation of similar rules in the future without congressional authorization.