Cramer Applauds President's Decision to Overturn Doe on Gird Enabled Water Heaters

Press Release

Today, Congressman Kevin Cramer made the following statement after President Obama signed S. 535, the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act. This legislation protects Grid-Enabled Water Heaters from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulations ultimately benefiting electric utility customers in North Dakota. The bill was passed without any opposition in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate before going to the President. Congressman Cramer co-sponsored legislation in the House to overturn the DOE's regulations (H.R. 906).

"President Obama's decision to overturn his own department's regulations is significant. The Department of Energy's misguided attempt to ban electric grid-enabled water heaters, some of which are manufactured in North Dakota, would prevent utilities from managing load peaks and saving customers money. It was the right decision for consumers and the electric industry to sign this legislation into law. I look forward to working with the President in the future on areas of agreement on energy issues ," said Cramer.

Electric utilities across the country provide demand response programs to their customers whereby a bill credit or lower rate is offered in exchange for the electric provider able to remotely turn off the water heater during peak electric demand periods. This allows customers to save money, reduce peak electric grid demand which saves all ratepayers money, and allow intermittent renewables to be better integrated into the grid.

Congressman Cramer is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. He serves on the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

Source