# Plain Language Summary: Congressional Disapproval of Energy Department Appliance Standards Rule

Congress is voting to reject a new rule from the Department of Energy about how appliances and equipment are tested, labeled, and checked for compliance with energy efficiency standards. Think of it this way: the Energy Department created new procedures for how manufacturers have to prove their appliances meet energy-saving requirements and how those requirements get labeled on products. This bill is Congress saying "we don't want this rule to go into effect."

The rule covers things like refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and commercial equipment. The new procedures would change how companies certify that their products actually save energy like they claim, how they label that information for consumers, and how the government enforces these standards. If Congress approves this disapproval bill, the Energy Department's new rule gets blocked and the old procedures stay in place instead.

This matters to regular people because appliance standards affect the prices you pay and the energy bills you get. Stricter standards can mean higher upfront costs for appliances but lower electricity bills over time. Looser standards might mean cheaper appliances but higher energy costs later. The new rule would have changed how these standards get verified and enforced, which could affect how much trust consumers can have in energy-saving claims. By rejecting this rule, Congress is essentially saying the current system for testing and labeling appliances should continue working the way it has been.

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 for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment".

Clyde, Andrew S.

<p>This joint resolution nullifies the&nbsp;<em>Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment&nbsp;</em>rule published by the Department of Energy (DOE) on October 9, 2024. Under the rule, DOE modified its regulations on the energy efficiency of certain types of&nbsp;consumer products (e.g., washing machines and dishwashers) and&nbsp;industrial equipment (e.g., computer room air conditioners). Specifically, it modified certification requirements, labeling requirements, and enforcement provisions for these products and equipment to (1) align reporting requirements with currently applicable energy conservation standards and test procedures, and (2) provide DOE with the information necessary to determine the appropriate classification of products for the application of standards.&nbsp;</p>