Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, spoke on the House floor in support of H.R. 4626, known as the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act. The legislation aims to update energy efficiency regulations for household appliances with a focus on lowering costs and protecting consumer choice.
Guthrie described the origins of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), established in 1975 during oil crises that led to gas shortages and rationing. He explained that EPCA gave authority to the Department of Energy (DOE) to set minimum energy efficiency standards for various home appliances and commercial equipment.
According to Guthrie, initial regulations were designed for energy security by reducing consumption through technology, helping shield families from disruptions caused by foreign restrictions on energy resources. He noted that while EPCA has changed little over five decades, recent Democratic administrations have shifted its focus toward environmental policies.
“Fifty years later, EPCA has remained largely unchanged, but, under Democratic administrations, the focus of conservation efforts shifted from energy security to green policies that advance a far-Left agenda,” Guthrie said.
He criticized recent DOE actions under the Biden-Harris administration, stating: “During the four long years of the Biden-Harris administration, DOE used EPCA authorities to regulate a host of everyday products like dishwashers, freezers, and dryers.”
Guthrie argued these rules were driven by climate goals rather than consumer needs or affordability. “While EPCA requires regulations to be economically justified and cost-effective, the Biden-Harris administration bent the rules so that households and businesses may not see any efficiency savings for decades,” he said. He cited DOE regulations on dryers as an example where benefits could take up to 46 years to materialize despite typical appliance replacement cycles being much shorter.
He also pointed out rising household energy bills: “Americans are already paying 34 percent more on their energy bills than they were in 2010 – households simply cannot afford more expensive mandates coming out of Washington.”
The Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act is intended to provide relief by introducing new accountability measures at DOE and ensuring future standards remain cost effective. Guthrie emphasized: “Decisions about home appliances should be left to American families, not bureaucrats in Washington.” He added that focusing on innovation would continue improving appliance performance while controlling costs.
“I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4626, the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act to protect consumer choice, to modernize EPCA authorities, and to lower costs for American families and businesses,” Guthrie concluded.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is one of Congress’s oldest standing committees. Established in 1795 as the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures official website, it addresses legislation related to energy policy, health care issues, environmental protection initiatives such as those overseen by DOE, telecommunications matters including broadband expansion efforts official website, as well as consumer protections. The committee also oversees agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services official website.
