The House voted to end President Biden's energy standards for refrigerators and freezers on Thursday.
The vote is part of a wider effort by Republicans and President Trump to roll back Biden-era regulations that targeted common household appliances. The rules would have imposed more strict energy efficiency standards for commercial refrigerators and freezers.
The House voted 214-192 to overturn energy efficiency regulations for commercial refrigerators and freezers and also voted 203 to 182 to get rid of energy regulations on walk-in freezers and coolers.
Both resolutions passed through the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn a recent federal regulation with a simple majority.
The Senate still needs to vote on reversing the refrigerator standards, which were finalized at the end of Biden's term. The Biden administration said the regulations would benefit the climate and save consumers money on their utility bills.
Republicans say the regulations would make products more expensive while limiting choice for consumers.
“Today, House Republicans acted to overturn more last-minute environmental regulations from the Biden Administration. Walk-in coolers and freezers are essential for pharmacies, convenience stores, food processing facilities, food banks, restaurants, and many other establishments nationwide,” said Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Ok), who sponsored the bill on walk-in coolers and freezers.
Under federal law, the Energy Department must periodically review existing energy standards and may only make changes that are "technologically feasible and economically justified and would result in significant energy savings."
The Biden administration focused on using energy regulations to advance a climate agenda, targeting common household products including water heaters, washers and dryers, and, most notably, gas stoves.
Under Trump, the Energy Department is prioritizing freedom of choice. This week, Energy Secretary Chris Wright postponed a trio of energy standards for home appliances, including walk-in coolers and freezers.
“By removing burdensome regulations put in place by the Biden administration, we are returning freedom of choice to the American people, ensuring consumers can choose the home appliances that work best for their lives and budgets," Wright added. "This power should not belong to the federal government."
The House voted last month to overturn Biden's ban on certain types of tankless water heaters. Republican Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tx.) has proposed a bill in the Senate to overturn Biden's ban on gas-powered, non-condensing tankless heaters, which are typically cheaper but less energy efficient than other models.
The issue has led to intense lobbying from water heater companies like Japanese manufacturer Rinnai, which makes the kind of water heaters facing a ban. A.O. Smith, the largest water heater manufacturer in the United States, is in favor of Biden's ban. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the company received $25 million from the Biden administration to invest in climate-conscious electric heat pumps.
