Biden admin cracks down on washers, fridges in latest climate action: 'Overregulation on steroids'
https://news.yahoo.com/biden-admin-crack...rk=tw&tsrc=twtr
Thomas Catenacci
Fri, February 10, 2023 at 5:39 PM EST·3 min read


The Biden administration proposed sweeping rules Friday to boost energy efficiency standards for clothes washers and refrigerators in an action it claimed would save consumers money and "significantly reduce pollution."

The Department of Energy (DOE) said the two regulations, which would be implemented in 2027 if approved, are projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 233 million metric tons over the next 30 years. The agency also estimated that the energy-efficiency standards taking certain appliance models off the market would save $3.5 billion on an annual basis.

"With today’s proposals, we’re building on a decades-long effort with our industry partners to ensure tomorrow’s appliances work more efficiently and save Americans money," Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.

"Over the last forty years, at the direction of Congress, DOE has worked to promote innovation, improve consumers’ options, and raise efficiency standards for household appliances without sacrificing the reliability and performance that Americans have come to expect," she continued.

DEMOCRATS, ECO GROUPS TAKE AIM AT OTHER HOME APPLIANCES AMID GAS STOVE DEBATE

According to the announcement, the washers and refrigerators affected by the regulations currently represent 5% of annual residential energy use and 8% of residential electricity use nationwide.

The new standards proposed for the two household appliances are the latest in a series of energy efficiency actions the Biden administration has pursued since taking office two years ago. In 2022 alone, the administration took more than 110 actions on appliances.-- excerpt, rest at link above --

Yeah, yeah, yeah, all that "ban gas stoves" was just a conspiracy theory by right-wing radicals.

House Republican introduces bill to flip funding in DC from stoves to crime
by Cami Mondeaux, Breaking News Reporter |
February 11, 2023 10:54 AM
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/...dc-stoves-crime


Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) introduced a bill seeking to overrule a D.C. Council proposal to replace gas stoves, marking the latest battle over local lawmakers' autonomy in the nation's capital.

Johnson introduced the Divert Important Services to Recovery in Criminal Trends Act, or DISTRICT Act, earlier this week, seeking to overturn a recent bill from D.C. lawmakers that would incentivize residents to replace their gas stoves with electric ones. The Ohio Republican criticized the proposal, arguing city lawmakers should instead focus on rising crime rates in the district.

HOUSE VOTES TO OVERTURN DC LAW SOFTENING PENALTIES FOR MURDER, CARJACKING

"Unfortunately, Councilmember Charles Allen is losing touch with reality; he believes gas stoves are a bigger threat to the public than violent crime and is actively ignoring pleas from Washington's residents, visitors, and even Mayor Muriel Bowser to revise the lenient criminal code and keep the city safe," Johnson said. "We cannot stand back and allow the nation's capital to be overrun with criminals while D.C. City Councilmembers continue down this path of dangerous lunacy."

The move comes after Allen introduced a bill last week seeking to use federal funding from President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act to allow D.C. homes making less than $80,000 a year to install electric stoves and heating systems at no cost. The proposal would also ban D.C. Housing from installing gas stoves and heating appliances on its new properties.

Allen emphasized a need to shift to electric appliances, citing reports that show gas stoves and heating systems can contribute to the poor air quality inside homes and can cause respiratory problems. Furthermore, the council chairman noted a switch would help Washington, D.C., reach its goals of reducing carbon emissions in the district to "mitigate the worst-case scenarios for climate change."

"It is rare to have a moment where making a change like this is the right call on so many fronts: we can ensure that residents can afford to have cleaner air in their homes, lower their household energy bills, and the upgrades to their homes will be much, much better for the environment overall," Allen said in a statement.

Johnson criticized Allen for the proposal, accusing the council chairman of ignoring more significant threats to the district — such as increasing crime rates. Instead, the DISTRICT Act would reallocate federal funding from going toward replacing gas stoves to instead combat the crime surge in Washington, D.C.

The bill would specifically put funding toward the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, a federal project that funnels funding to local jurisdictions to deal with crime.

Johnson's bill comes after the House passed a resolution to overturn an overhaul of D.C.'s century-old criminal code that softens the punishment for homicide, robberies, and carjackings. The D.C. Council overwhelmingly approved the overhaul last year, raising concerns from some congressional Republicans who said it left the district susceptible to violent crimes. -- excerpt, rest at link above --