Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to consider cost and availability of products when developing conservation standards for household appliances.

Highlights:

• Amends the process by which the Department of Energy (DOE) issues or revises energy conservation standards for consumer products such as household appliances, including by requiring DOE to consider additional factors related to the cost and availability of such products (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes DOE to amend an energy conservation standard for a consumer product when needed rather than by a deadline (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes DOE to grant a petition to revoke or amend energy conservation standards if the standards (Sec. 2):

• Result in additional costs to consumers; 

• Do not result in significant conservation of energy or water;

• Are not technologically feasible; and 

• Result in a product (e.g., gas stoves) not being commercially available in the United States to all consumers.

• Amends the criteria used to prescribe new or amended energy conservation standards, including by establishing new criteria for determining whether a standard is economically justified (Sec. 2).

• Establishes disclosure requirements for DOE meetings with entities that have (Sec. 2):

• Ties to China or the Chinese Communist Party;

• Produced studies regarding, or advocated for, regulations or policy to limit, restrict, or ban the use of any type of energy; and

• Applied for or received federal funds.

• Prohibits DOE from prescribing new or revised energy conservation standards for distribution transformers (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes DOE to prescribe certain new or amended energy and water conservation standards for clothes washers and dishwashers (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text