Latest news with #EnergyPolicyandConservationAct
CBS News
29-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
San Francisco gas ban could include homes, businesses undergoing renovations
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco may update the gas ban ordinance to include homes and businesses undergoing major renovations. The ordinance, backed by Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, would require buildings that fit the bill's criteria to convert all gas water heating, heating and cooling systems, and cooking appliances to electric. The amendment would apply to buildings undergoing major wall-to-ceiling renovations and load-bearing elements that support at least 30% of the property. Mandelman told CBS News Bay Area that the updated ordinance is necessary for a greener San Francisco. "I do think the climate crisis is real. The health impacts of natural gas and fossil fuels are real, and we can't ignore them," Mandelman said. "We have to address them." The city has been slowly phasing out natural gas since 2020, when the original ordinance was passed to reduce emissions. Since then, all new builds are required to use electrical appliances. "We can't say that every conversion of a building is going, or every major retrofit is going to involve that building going all electric, but it's pushing in that direction." Buildings with gas appliances protected under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act are exempt. Mandelman also said affordable housing units get a temporary exemption. Justin Spillman, a contractor for Ace Plumbing and Rooter, said he's seeing San Francisco's push for electric appliances unfold in real time. "They want their energy bills to go down. They want to get ahead of the curve when it comes to the changes that are happening in the emissions goals in the city." He said his company is getting more inquiries from people interested in making the switch. Geran Checkley, one of his clients, said he thinks the ordinance is a necessary one. "We already know we want to electrify our house for environmental and climate reasons, and for health and safety reasons," Geran said. But Checkley said the only drawback to the amendment is the price tag. Even with state and federal rebates, he estimated he'll pay thousands for this update. "I am a supporter of the effort to electrify our city. What I would also like to see is state and city changes that make it more efficient and cheaper." The city, state, and federal government offer rebates for electrifying homes and businesses, depending on the type of projects.
CNBC
29-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
An energy star inside U.S. homes is under attack from Trump, with the cost to homeowners uncertain
Donald Trump, as both a citizen and president, has railed against modern dishwashers, washing machines, light bulbs, showerheads and toilets, claiming that onerous government regulations render them less effective and more expensive. Since returning to the White House in January, he's turned his ire into an edict. On April 9, Trump issued an executive order directing certain federal agencies "to incorporate a sunset provision" into a laundry list of regulations governing energy production, including those covering appliances. A month later, he issued a memorandum, entitled "Rescission of Useless Water Pressure Standards." Following that, on May 12, the Department of Energy announced that it was preparing to eliminate or modify 47 federal regulations "that are driving up costs and lowering quality of life for the American people." Many of the rules are covered in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), a decades-old law that mandates energy-efficiency and water-conservation standards for home appliances and plumbing fixtures. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency said it is planning to eliminate the Energy Star program, a popular voluntary initiative that manufacturers employ to rank their appliances based on energy conservation and cost savings, displayed on familiar blue labeling at retail as comparison-shopping guides. Trump's actions have been met with a mix of resistance from consumer protection groups and appliance manufacturers, as well as support from deregulation hawks and decriers of the nanny state. And while the administration continues to review the current standards and solicit comments before considering any official changes, legal challenges to the efforts are being weighed. Originally passed in 1975, EPCA ensures that the entire array of products covered by the law all meet a basic level of energy- and water-efficiency performance, reflected in different price points. A prime example are the ubiquitous yellow Energy Guide stickers affixed to appliances that indicate their annual energy usage and cost. "Consumers who are shopping primarily, if not exclusively, on price also get reasonable efficiency performance [information]," said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a coalition of environmental and consumer groups, utilities and state governments, based at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a nonprofit research organization. Without that level of regulated consumer protection, deLaski said, "It's buyer beware." Consumers would face the risk of less-efficient appliances entering an unregulated marketplace, he said, "and you're not going to know it until you get the [higher] electric bill." Separate from EPCA, the Energy Star labeling program was established by the EPA in 1992 as a public-private partnership. Managed and jointly funded by the DOE, it sets energy-efficiency standards that manufacturers can choose to display on appliances, building products, electronics, lighting fixtures, HVAC equipment and other products as a way for consumers and businesses to make informed purchase decisions. The EPA estimates that 90% of households recognize the Energy Star label and that over its 33 years, the program has saved five trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by four billion metric tons and saved $500 billion in utility costs. The program's 2024 operating budget was $35.7 million. To date, every dollar spent has resulted in nearly $350 in energy cost savings. Consumer Reports conducted a national survey in March which found that 87% of respondents support energy-efficient home appliance standards. Nearly a third said that saving money on energy bills would motivate them to buy a more efficient large home appliance. Last month, in response to plans to shutter Energy Star, the organization issued a statement urging the EPA to preserve the program. "The loss would hit especially hard at a time when people are dealing with unpredictable energy bills and trying to cut expenses," said Shanika Whitehurst, associate director for Consumer Reports' product sustainability, research and testing team. The nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy, a bipartisan coalition of consumer, environment, business and government groups, suggests that EPCA and Energy Star actually promote the White House's goals of lowering families' energy bills and making the nation energy dominant. "If you start to dismantle the energy-efficiency programs, American households are going to pay for that," said Jason Reott, ASE's senior manager of policy. "Energy dominance begins at home, by eliminating energy waste." The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, which represents more than 150 manufacturers, has historically supported efficiency regulations, but pushed back against the Biden administration's updates of EPCA standards for gas stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers and other appliances. The law requires the DOE to review standards at least once every six years, a process that has often led to rule changes. "We have always been able to produce products at higher efficiency levels," said Jill Notini, vice president of communications and marketing for AHAM, "but there's a tipping point where you have to stop and say, you have to have the technology that allows those standard levels." "We very much appreciate the intent behind [President Trump's] goals of deregulatory actions," Notini said. "Our industry needs it after looking at our products and how far they have come in terms of energy efficiency and water use," alluding to the eight rounds of EPCA reviews, updates and revisions over the years. Today's appliances are at or near their peak efficiency, a result of federal standards and manufacturers' investment in technology and innovation, Notini said. "So there needs to be a recognition that we can't stay on this path and continue to ratchet up standards and expect high-performing products," she added. AHAM favors revising EPCA standards, she said, based on technological advances rather than the every-six-year requirement. What the association does not endorse, however, is Trump's request for the DOE to waive federal preemption of states' regulations regarding the water efficiency of showerheads, faucets and toilets. "It's concerning to us that we may not have federal preemption, which creates that certainty that the industry is looking for," Notini said, noting that several states have established their own efficiency standards on some EPCA-covered products. Federal preemption "truly is what has made energy efficiency such a success." AHAM member LG Electronics USA has mixed views on efforts to roll back EPCA, according to senior vice president John I. Taylor. "Generally deregulation is good for business, but there are some specific things in EPCA that are beneficial to American consumers and the American economy," he said. "Our company has been a leader in driving energy efficiency, so regardless of how the regulations end up, we'll continue to keep our foot on that accelerator." In March, nearly three dozen industry groups and appliance companies, including the Chamber of Commerce, Bosch, Carrier and the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) sent a letter to EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, urging him not to end Energy Star. In April, the U.S. Green Building Council, along with more than 1,000 signatories — among them LG, Miele and Samsung Electronics America — wrote to Zeldin to express concerns about proposed cuts at the EPA, including Energy Star. While major appliance retailers, such as Lowe's, Home Depot and Best Buy, have not publicly commented on any of these pending regulatory changes, the National Retail Federation, one of several consumer products, manufacturing, real estate and retail organizations that sent a letter on June 6 to a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders, asking them to "strongly support continuation of the non-regulatory and non-partisan Energy Star program within the federal government." "Consumers have said overwhelmingly that they support voluntary environmental standard-setting programs like Energy Star," said Scot Case, vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability and executive director for the NRF's Center for Retail Sustainability. And that's why retailers the trade group represents "want to make sure they're able to share the benefits of those programs with the consumer," he said. Trump's tribulations with energy-efficiency and water-conservation standards echo those of libertarians and free-marketers who maintain that regulations often represent government overreach and restrict personal choice. For instance, the libertarian Cato Institute has called Energy Star "a very coarse piece of energy information that may crowd out efforts" to develop more accurate ways to measure energy-operating costs. "I'm a big proponent of energy efficiency, but I don't think we need the federal government overriding the choices and preferences that consumers may have when purchasing an appliance," said Nick Loris, vice president of public policy for C3 Solutions, a conservative energy think tank. He said rolling back EPCA standards is "a step forward in reducing government intervention into decisions that should be best left for producers and consumers." As with a mounting number of actions taken by the Trump administration this year — from tariffs to immigration — tinkering with EPCA is expected to be challenged in federal courts. The law includes a so-called anti-backsliding provision, which prevents rolling back standards that have already been finalized. A 2004 case deLaski referred to, NRDC v. Abraham, upheld the provision. "Once a DOE standard has been updated and published in the Federal Register, you can't go backward," he said of the precedent. The administration may seek legal authority to enact these deregulation orders by citing the "good cause" exception in the Administrative Procedures Act as a way to avoid the APA's public notice-and-comment processes. Yet legal experts, environmental groups and state attorneys general have warned that skipping APA procedures — especially for weakening energy- and water-use standards covered by EPCA — would likely be deemed "arbitrary and capricious" and illegal. Ultimately, considering the success and popularity of EPCA and Energy Star — with consumers, manufacturers and retailers — as well as the legal underpinnings, it's entirely possible that both will remain intact, if perhaps with a few tweaks. "In one form or another," Taylor said, "we expect both will." "We know consumers want the information, and the interesting thing about consumers is, they are also voters," Case said.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Americans may be staring at $43 billion in higher utility bills as the US government plans to rollback several energy policies in "largest deregulatory effort in history"
The Trump administration's push to dismantle 12 energy efficiency standards may face significant legal hurdles due to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act's (EPCA) anti-backsliding provision, which prohibits weakening established efficiency rules. Environmental and consumer advocacy groups are expected to challenge the rollbacks in court, arguing that the Department of Energy's (DOE) actions violate federal law. According to a report in The Verge, the DOE's proposals, part of what it calls its 'largest deregulatory effort in history,' have already sparked controversy, with critics warning of long-term economic and environmental consequences. On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum instructing the DOE to halt enforcement of several efficiency standards targeted for revision or elimination. This directive aligns with the administration's broader deregulatory agenda but has drawn criticism for undermining decades of progress in energy conservation. The DOE has not yet responded to inquiries from The Verge regarding the rollback plans or their potential impacts. Energy Star Program may be 'killed' Adding to the controversy, reports surfaced in May 2025 that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to terminate the Energy Star program. This voluntary certification, which identifies energy-efficient products, reportedly saves the average household in America approximately $450 annually on energy bills. The program's potential closure, combined with the DOE's rollbacks, signals a broader retreat from energy efficiency initiatives. Consumer Costs vs Promised Savings The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) estimates that scrapping these 12 standards could cost households and businesses $43.2 billion in higher electricity bills over the lifetime of affected products. This figure starkly contrasts with the DOE's claim that deregulation would save $11 billion by eliminating 'burdensome and costly' rules. ASAP's deputy director, Joanna Mauer told The Verge, 'The department is looking at the savings these rollbacks would provide while completely ignoring the costs. It turns out that the costs would be nearly five times greater than the savings.' How Efficiency Standards Work and Why They Matter Energy efficiency standards set minimum performance requirements for appliances, ensuring they consume less energy while maintaining functionality. These rules cover a wide range of products, including microwave ovens, cooking tops, air purifiers, dehumidifiers, battery chargers, and portable air conditioners. For example, the 2020 efficiency standard for portable air conditioners was projected to cost consumers $1 billion upfront due to higher purchase prices but save $4.1 billion in energy bills over 30 years, yielding a net savings of $3.1 billion. ASAP's analysis, reportedly based on DOE's own data, shows that the 12 targeted standards would collectively deliver $43.2 billion in net savings. DOE's Deregulatory Agenda Divides In a recent announcement, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright defended the rollbacks, stating, 'We are bringing back common sense — slashing regulations meant to appease Green New Deal fantasies, restrict consumer choice and increase costs for the American people.' The DOE argues that eliminating these standards reduces manufacturing costs and provides consumers with more affordable, less efficient options. However, ASAP contends that this approach ignores the long-term financial burden of higher energy consumption, particularly for low-income households that spend a larger share of their income on utility bills. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Epoch Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Energy Department Proposes to Slash 47 Rules Amid Deregulatory Push
The Department of Energy (DOE) on May 12 proposed to eliminate or roll back 47 regulations in what it called the first step in America's 'largest deregulatory effort in history.' The move is expected to save the nation $11 billion by eliminating regulations that it said were 'driving up costs' and 'lowering quality of life' for the people, 'Thanks to President Trump's leadership, we are bringing back common sense—slashing regulations meant to appease Green New Deal fantasies, restrict consumer choice, and increase costs for the American people,' DOE Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement. The proposals, The department proposed streamlining administrative procedures for natural gas imports and exports, as well as the authorization process for transmitting electric energy to other countries. DOE also proposed removing certain products, including portable air conditioners, fans, and blowers, from the list of covered products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Related Stories 5/5/2025 3/25/2025 It also sought to rescind regulations for loans for minority business enterprises seeking DOE contracts, along with reporting requirements and DOE review for voluntary greenhouse gas reporting. The move came just days after President Donald Trump In his 'Efficiency standards render other American appliances like clothes washers and dishwashers less useful, more breakable, and more expensive to repair,' the president stated. 'The federal government should not impose or enforce regulations that make taxpayers' lives worse.' The memo directs Wright to review and rescind rules limiting water use in showerheads, faucets, dishwashers, toilets, urinals, and washing machines, or return these rules to the bare minimum required by the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, warned that the DOE's proposals could increase the operating costs of products targeted for rollbacks. 'If this attack on consumers succeeds, President Trump would be raising costs dramatically for families as manufacturers dump energy- and water-wasting products into the market,' deLaski said in a Joseph Lord contributed to this report.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's Energy Department unveils broad rule changes aimed at cutting red tape
(Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Energy on Monday proposed to eliminate or change more than 40 regulations and programs to align them with President Donald Trump's efforts to relax federal rules and gut diversity initiatives. The moves will save U.S. taxpayers $11 billion, the agency said in a statement, calling it the first step in its largest-ever deregulatory effort. "Thanks to President Trump's leadership, we are bringing back common sense - slashing regulations meant to appease Green New Deal fantasies, restrict consumer choice and increase costs for the American people," Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in the statement. The proposals were posted on a public government website and will be published in the Federal Register later this week. Many of the rule changes seek to promote Trump's energy dominance agenda, which seeks to boost production and use of domestic fossil fuels. One rule change allows electronic submissions of applications for natural gas imports and exports, and another simplifies the permit process for transmitting electric energy abroad. They also target federal energy conservation programs by removing water and energy efficiency standards for faucets, commercial ice makers, microwave ovens, clothes washers and other appliances. They also remove products including portable air conditioners, fans and blowers from coverage under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which directs DOE to set efficiency standards for certain consumer goods. Trump has often criticized energy- and water-efficient appliances, saying they do not work well and limit consumer choice. The agency is also rescinding several rules that seek to protect against discrimination on the basis of age, gender and disability. It is also eliminating a rule to support minority businesses seeking grants or contracts. Those changes are part of Trump's broad effort to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the federal government.
