House Votes to Overturn Biden-Era Water Heater Regulation
USA: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to block a Department of Energy rule that would ban non-condensing, natural-gas-fired water heaters by 2029. The regulation, introduced in the final days of President Joe Biden's term, was set to take effect in March but faced opposition from Republicans and 11 House Democrats who voted in favour of overturning it. Supporters of the resolution argued that the rule limits consumer choice and imposes unnecessary restrictions. Concerns were also raised about potential job losses in the water heater manufacturing sector, with industry representatives warning that the ban could negatively impact both businesses and consumers.
This vote is part of broader Republican efforts to challenge Biden administration regulations on household appliances. House Republicans have been working to reverse several policies related to energy efficiency and emissions reduction. In a related move, the House also passed a resolution targeting the Environmental Protection Agency’s Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program. These efforts reflect ongoing political disagreements over energy policies, with opponents arguing that such regulations increase costs and reduce choices, while supporters contend, they are necessary for environmental sustainability.
Source: Fox News