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 Commercial Water Heating Equipment".
H. J. Res. 15 is a joint resolution introduced in the 119th Congress that uses the Congressional Review Act to disapprove a Department of Energy rule. Specifically, it targets the DOE final rule on energy conservation standards for commercial water heating equipment, published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 69686). If Congress passes and the President signs this resolution, the rule would be repealed and would have no force or effect, effectively preventing those energy efficiency standards from taking effect. The bill states that Congress disapproves the final DOE rule and would block its implementation. It does not itself set new standards; rather, it nullifies the DOE rule and preserves the status quo unless Congress later enacts alternative legislation.
Key Points
- 1The bill provides congressional disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (chapter 8, title 5 U.S.C.) of DOE’s rule on energy conservation standards for commercial water heating equipment.
- 2Targeted rule: the DOE final rule published October 6, 2023, in the Federal Register as “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating Equipment” (88 Fed. Reg. 69686).
- 3If enacted, the rule shall have no force or effect, meaning DOE would not be able to enforce the standards specified in that rule.
- 4The bill does not propose new DOE standards; it nullifies the existing DOE rule and leaves the path forward to whatever Congress may decide through future legislation.
- 5Sponsor and status: Introduced in the House by Mr. Messmer on January 9, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.