Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act

Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act would overhaul how the federal government sets energy conservation standards for consumer products. The bill would require that any new or amended standard be both technologically feasible and economically justified, and it would tighten the process for approving, modifying, or revoking standards. It adds explicit economic analysis, treatment of costs to consumers (with attention to low-income and regional differences), and a set of criteria to determine whether a standard should be adopted. It also introduces a revocation pathway if a standard is found no longer feasible or justified, and it restricts new or revised standards for distribution transformers. A notable new element requires public disclosure of certain meetings with entities connected to China. In short, the bill aims to curb or slow new appliance efficiency rules unless they pass stricter feasibility and cost-benefit tests.