# What This Bill Does

Congress is trying to block a new Department of Energy rule that would make water heaters more energy efficient. The Department of Energy created stricter standards for how much energy consumer water heaters can use, and this bill would reject that rule entirely, meaning the new efficiency standards wouldn't go into effect.

# Who This Affects and Why It Matters

If this bill passes, water heater manufacturers would not have to meet the tougher energy efficiency requirements that the Department of Energy proposed. This means new water heaters sold in the future could use more energy than they would under the new rule. For everyday people, this could mean higher utility bills if you buy a new water heater, since less efficient models consume more electricity or gas to heat water. On the flip side, water heaters that don't have to meet strict efficiency standards might be cheaper to purchase upfront, though you'd likely pay more over time through higher energy bills.

The practical impact depends on your perspective: if you're buying a water heater soon, a less efficient model might cost less initially but cost more to operate. If you care about energy conservation and reducing your carbon footprint, blocking this rule means missing an opportunity to reduce household energy consumption. Manufacturers might prefer this outcome since they wouldn't need to invest in developing or upgrading to more efficient technology. The bill essentially freezes water heater efficiency standards at their current levels rather than tightening them as the Department of Energy wanted to do.

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 Consumer Water Heaters".