# What This Bill Actually Does

Congress is trying to kill a new energy efficiency rule for commercial water heaters that the Department of Energy created. Think of it like this: the Energy Department set new standards saying that big water heaters used in businesses, hotels, apartment buildings, and other commercial settings have to be more energy efficient. Now some members of Congress want to say "no thanks" and get rid of that rule entirely, so it would never take effect.

# Who This Affects and Why It Matters

If this bill passes, businesses that use commercial water heaters won't have to meet the new efficiency standards. That means they could keep using older, less efficient equipment without any federal requirements to upgrade. On the surface, this sounds good for businesses because they won't face new regulations or have to spend money on more efficient equipment. However, there's a trade-off: less efficient water heaters use more energy, which costs more money to operate over time and produces more pollution. Building owners might save money upfront by not upgrading, but they could pay more in energy bills down the road.

For regular people, this matters because we all pay for energy in some form—through our rent, hotel stays, or the products and services businesses provide. If commercial buildings use less efficient water heaters, those higher energy costs often get passed along to consumers. The rule the Energy Department created was designed to save money and reduce pollution in the long run, but this bill would prevent that from happening. It's essentially a choice between stricter efficiency standards now versus potentially higher energy costs and more environmental impact later.

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".

Messmer, Mark B.

<p>This joint resolution nullifies the final rule titled <em>Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating Equipment</em>, which was submitted by the Department of Energy on October 6, 2023. The rule adopts more stringent energy conservation standards for commercial water heating equipment under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act in order to achieve more energy savings.</p>