At Second Subcommittee Hearing, Democrats Counter Republicans’ Continued Attacks on Critical Energy Efficiency Improvements

Washington, D.C. (July 18, 2023)—Today, Rep. Cori Bush, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs, led Subcommittee Democrats in defending the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to protect Americans' health by increasing the energy efficiency of household appliances.

"Since we are at yet another hearing about home appliance regulations, I am going to reiterate what we said last time about gas stoves: the Biden-Harris Administration is not banning gas stoves nor is it leading a conspiracy to regulate your appliances out of existence," said Ranking Member Bush in her opening statement.

The hearing included testimony from Dr. Geraldine Richmond, Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, Department of Energy (DOE).

Subcommittee Democrats explained that increasing the efficiency of household appliances provides numerous benefits to the climate and savings for consumers.

• In response to a question from Ranking Member Bush regarding costs and savings for American consumers resulting from efficiency standards, Dr. Richmond said: "Well, there are substantial [savings], for example, gas stoves would take 33% less fuel in order to run them and in thirty years, the savings of enough electricity for 19 million homes and also can save consumers $2.3 billion in energy bills in that time. So, it's significant savings."

• In her opening statement, Dr. Richmond testified that "according to the efficiency standards outlined in the proposal, American consumers would save $1.7 billion per year in 2021 dollars, and a new gas cooktop would use 33% less natural gas on average than the least efficient models today. Nearly 50% of the current gas cooktop models would not be impacted by the rules."

Subcommittee Democrats supported DOE's ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency standards for consumer products.

• In response to questions from Rep. Shontel Brown, Dr. Richmond explained the factors that DOE considers in drafting new efficiency regulations, Dr. Richmond said: "We have saved consumers trillions of dollars since [the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program] was passed in 1975 on appliances. There's no doubt about it that increasing efficiency saves money, but we also take into account what the manufacturers are concerned about with regards to cost for them to make those changes, and that's where we come up with a value that we believe shows that it's not an undue burden for the companies. But it's also just a great savings for the consumer because that's what we do: We want to reduce waste and save money."

• Rep. Jared Moskowitz drilled home that the crux of DOE's Standards Program is harnessing and incentivizing innovation. "Isn't this really just about innovation?" he asked. "When we talk about efficiency, that's what we're really talking about, we're talking about innovation." He continued, "I don't know why anyone on the Committee here is against innovation."

Subcommittee Democrats condemned the Republican's unfounded crusade against the Biden-Harris Administration's regulations.

• Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton asked Dr. Richmond whether DOE's efficiency standards for gas stoves constitute a ban or de-facto ban and Dr. Richmond testified, "No, the Department of Energy is not suggesting a ban. In fact, it has no authority to ban any type of appliance." She continued, "At this point, 50% of the gas stoves that are out there would comply with the rule, that, if finalized, we would set up three years from now. The other 50% would take minor tweaks in order to make them comply."

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