Energy Sector to Eliminate Electronics Efficiency Regulations

On Monday, the Energy Bureau announced it is set to revoke energy and water conservation standards impacting a range of appliances and gas devices, totaling 47 regulations. In this context “It was raising costs for Americans and diminishing quality of life.”

The initiative follows a Presidential Order in which President Trump directed the energy sector to “remove constraints on water pressure and efficiency regulations that make household products more costly and effective.”

However, energy efficiency specialists and climate advocates argue that this move will increase operational costs for household appliances like dehumidifiers and portable air conditioners, as well as industrial machines like air compressors.

“If this consumer assault is successful, President Trump will significantly raise expenses for families when manufacturers flood the market with energy and water-draining products,” stated Andrew Delaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a consortium of environmental, consumer groups, utilities, and governmental agencies.

Delaski further asserted that this initiative breaches anti-backsliding provisions established decades ago.

“It’s evidently illegal, so please exercise caution,” he remarked in a statement.

Similar to many nations, the US has been implementing standards for years that regulate the energy and water usage of appliances, including light bulbs, dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines.

According to government scientists’ reports, the efficiency standards saved the average American household roughly $576 on water and gas bills in 2024, leading to a 6.5% reduction in national energy consumption and a 12% decrease in public water use. These measures have prevented the total energy and water usage by American households from rising faster than population growth.

Nonetheless, the Trump administration has characterized these standards as an example of government overreach. Trump frequently criticized weak water pressure from shower heads or toilets that do not flush effectively, denouncing the efficiency standards associated with these devices. Conservative factions, too, argue that efficiency standards compromise appliance performance, especially for dishwashers.

The list of energy sector appliance regulations targets various devices, including air cleaners, battery chargers, compressors, cooking tops, dehumidifiers, external power supplies, microwaves, dishwashers, and faucets.

The department indicated that the rescinded standards would “eliminate over 125,000 words from federal regulations.” However, rolling back the standards necessitates a new rule-making process that may take several months. Additionally, these rollbacks could encounter legal opposition.

The department has not yet responded to requests for comments.

Simultaneously, the Environmental Protection Agency is planning to eliminate the Energy Star program, a universal energy efficiency certification for appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators, and dryers.

Historically, manufacturers have backed government efficiency standards, but they are now attempting to leverage Trump’s inclination to deregulate.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, representing 150 manufacturers responsible for 95% of household appliances sold in the US, is still assessing Monday’s announcement.

However, Jill A. Notini, a public relations officer for the association, highlighted in a statement that the standards “have facilitated decades of successful advancements in appliance efficiency.” The association further noted, “With most appliances operating at near peak efficiency, substantial savings in some products are unlikely.”

In addition to rolling back efficiency standards, the energy sector intends to abolish several clean energy and climate change initiatives. This includes rescinding reporting requirements for voluntary programs that allow businesses to report greenhouse gas emissions and terminating programs that provide compensation for electricity generated from renewable sources.

The energy sector is also discarding what it terms “unscientific” diversity, equity, and inclusion prerequisites for grant recipients, proposing to eliminate regulations that prevent subsidies from discriminating based on gender, race, or age.

Certain proposals appear to be unrelated to the department’s core focus. One suggested repeal involves “termination requirements for a single sex member to compete on sports teams of the opposite sex.”