Recently a bill with bipartisan support passed in the House, which aims to prevent the Biden administration from banning home appliances that run on natural gas. Throughout Biden’s presidency, Republicans have fought against the president’s green energy agenda that will purportedly interfere with consumer preferences toward home appliances.
The bill titled Hands Off our Home Appliances Act passed 212 to 195. The legislation was unanimously supported by all Republicans, and seven Democrats stepped across the aisle to pass the bill, which would target Biden’s Department of Energy (DOE).
Under the bill introduced by Rep. Debbie Lasko, the DOE would be forced to weigh the cost impact on consumers of new regulation standards. For example, policies surrounding consumer appliances must consider the hypothetical effects on low-income families.
Lesko explained to Fox News that she was dismayed that Congress would need to pass such legislation in the first place. She further listed several everyday household appliances that have been impacted by new Biden regulations.
“I am saddened that we would need such a bill,” Lesko said. “However, as we have experienced under this administration, the Department of Energy has unleashed an avalanche of new regulations for household products, including stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, showers, toilets, water heaters, air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces.”
Lesko maintained, “No government bureaucrat should ever scheme to take away Americans’ appliances in the name of a radical environmental agenda.” The GOP representative has led previous legislative initiatives such as the Save Our Gas Stoves Act of last year.
The Arizona Republican stated at a GOP press conference on Tuesday, “My constituents in the north and northwest valley of Maricopa County, Arizona, do not want this government interference in their homes and lives. I know that millions of Americans around the country feel the same way.”
The American Tribune reported on comments from the natural gas industry last year, which challenged the Biden administration on gas appliance regulations. The American Natural Gas Association (AGA) President and CEO Karen Harbert released a statement explaining her organization’s attempts to work with the DOE. However, these efforts fell short, forcing the group to take legal action.
“AGA has attempted to work with the Department of Energy to address the rule’s profound impacts on consumers and homeowners with a solutions-oriented approach to energy conservation that protects consumers and ensures continued availability of low-cost, low-emission natural gas furnaces,” Harbert stated. “Unfortunately, our 114 pages of comments have been summarily ignored.”
Harbert outlined how such regulations will negatively impact the financial situation of American households, who will essentially be forced into a lose-lose predicament. Regardless, the CEO claims that families will be worse off either way.
“This ruling from DOE will push American families with natural gas heat into a corner — when their furnace goes out, they’ll be forced to choose between retrofitting for electric with the increased month-to-month utility bills that entails or engaging in a costly and time-consuming renovation to retrofit their home for a completely different type of natural gas furnace,” she wen on to say. Watch more criticism toward Biden from the business community below:
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