Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers".
This bill is a joint resolution used under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to block a specific U.S. Department of Energy rule. It disapproves the DOE’s energy efficiency standard for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers that was published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2025 (90 Fed. Reg. 7464). If enacted, the resolution makes the rule null and void, meaning it would have no force or effect and could not be enforced. The action is a congressional check on new federal regulations and would prevent the updated efficiency standards from taking effect. In practical terms, the bill halts the proposed energy-conserving requirements for these commercial appliances. The DOE would likely need to proceed with existing standards or restart the rulemaking process if it wished to pursue new or revised standards in the future.
Key Points
- 1Purpose: Disapprove the DOE rule on Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).
- 2Legal effect: If the joint resolution becomes law, the DOE rule has no force or effect and cannot be enforced.
- 3Rule in question: The DOE rule published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2025 (90 Fed. Reg. 7464) concerning energy efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration equipment.
- 4Mechanism: The disapproval uses the CRA’s fast-track process, requiring passage of a joint resolution by both Houses of Congress (and typically signed by the President).
- 5Consequence for rulemaking: Blocks the specific 2025 rule; DOE would need to restart rulemaking if it seeks to implement updated standards in the future.