Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment".
This bill is a joint resolution that uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) process to disapprove a specific Department of Energy rule. The rule in question, published October 9, 2024, relates to the Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards and covers certification requirements, labeling requirements, and enforcement provisions for certain consumer products and commercial equipment. If the joint resolution becomes law, the rule would have no force or effect, meaning it could not be implemented or enforced by the DOE. In practical terms, this resolution blocks the DOE rule from taking effect and preserves the status quo under existing law. It does not repeal the underlying statutory authority for energy efficiency standards, but it prevents this particular rule from moving forward.
Key Points
- 1The bill uses the Congressional Review Act mechanism to disapprove and void a DOE rule.
- 2The targeted rule is titled: “Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment” (published in the Federal Register as 89 Fed. Reg. 81994 on October 9, 2024).
- 3If enacted, the rule would have no force or effect; DOE would not be able to implement or enforce the provisions of that rule.
- 4The disapproval does not repeal DOE’s broader authority to issue energy efficiency standards; it only blocks this specific rule.
- 5The action is introduced in the 119th Congress as H.J.Res.42 (a joint resolution, not a standalone bill), and its fate depends on passage by both houses and the President’s signature or an override.