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: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers".
This bill is a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act that would disapprove a Department of Energy (DOE) rule establishing energy conservation standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers. If enacted, the rule published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 104616) would have no force or effect. In short, Congress would block the new, more stringent energy efficiency standards for these commercial refrigeration units, maintaining the status quo unless another rule or standard is later issued. The measure uses the CRA’s fast-track process to nullify the DOE rule, rather than changing any statutes directly. The bill’s sponsor is not identified in the provided text, and it has been introduced in the 119th Congress.
Key Points
- 1The rule being targeted: DOE’s Energy Conservation Program rule titled “Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers,” published as 89 Fed. Reg. 104616 on December 23, 2024.
- 2Legal mechanism: A joint resolution of disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code (the Congressional Review Act) to block the rule.
- 3Effect of passage: The disapproved rule would have no force or effect, effectively preventing the new energy efficiency standards from taking effect for walk-in coolers and freezers.
- 4Legislative status: Introduced in the 119th Congress as H.J.Res.24; sponsor not specified in the provided text; would require passage by both Houses and presentation to the President (where veto power and possible override could come into play).
- 5Policy implication: Signals Congress’s intent to review and potentially reverse agency rulemaking on energy efficiency for commercial refrigeration, which could influence costs for manufacturers, buyers, and users of walk-in coolers/freezers and affect energy savings goals.