WASHINGTON, DC - The Energy Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), today scheduled a legislative hearing for Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Discussion Draft, Energy Star Reform Act of 2017 and H.R. 3477, Ceiling Fan Energy Conservation Harmonization Act."
Energy Star is a voluntary program, implemented by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that seeks to provide consumers and businesses with information identifying the most energy efficient choices in appliances, homes, and buildings. #SubEnergy will examine a discussion draft of legislation that seeks to make modifications and improve the Energy Star program. Members will also review H.R. 3477, Ceiling Fan Energy Conservation Harmonization Act.
Discussion Draft: Energy Star Reform Act of 2017, would:
* Make DOE the permanent lead agency while allowing the Secretary of Energy the discretion to delegate responsibilities to EPA.
* Subject the program to the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, which would treat actions taken by Energy Star the same as agency rulemakings.
* Allow self-certification for makers of electronic products that are in good standing with the program.
* Create limited liability protections for program participants in which participating companies whose products are found to be out of compliance would be subject to all corrective measures and penalties under the program but not subject to litigation.
H.R. 3477, Ceiling Fan Energy Conservation Harmonization Act, authored by committee member Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), would:
* Align the DOE compliance dates for new ceiling fan efficiency standards.
* Currently, the compliance date for the latest ceiling fan light kit standard is January 7, 2019, and the compliance date for the ceiling fan standard is Jan. 21, 2020. H.R. 3477 would make the date of compliance for both standards, Jan. 21, 2020.as they are posted.
