.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
Article content
(Bloomberg) — The Trump administration is moving to halt mandatory energy conservation standards for appliances ranging from refrigerators to washing machines, taking aim at some restrictions that have been criticized by the president himself.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
The Energy Department said a proposal it made public Thursday will “permanently end” energy-use mandates that opponents say restrict consumer choice and leave products performing below what Americans have come to expect. Backers of the standards say they have saved consumers hundreds of billions on their electrical bills and slashed carbon dioxide emissions.
Article content
Article content
Article content
“For too long, the American people paid the price for mandates that restricted consumer choice and drove up costs,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement. “President Trump promised to end this nonsense and that is exactly what we are doing.”
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
While the Energy Department’s 192-page rule wouldn’t remove any existing standards, it would make it more difficult to update existing energy-use rules and to enact standards for new products, according to the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a nonprofit that advocates for energy-efficiency rules.
Article content
“Major energy savings could be at stake,” said the group, an arm of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. “Thanks to technological advances, the next round of strengthened standards could reduce a typical household’s utility bills by an average of about $160 annually and collectively save businesses almost $15 billion in annual operating costs over two decades.”
Article content
President Donald Trump has personally vowed to “get rid of” the rules, calling them “unnecessary,” and has complained about efficiency standards for products such as dishwashers and shower heads. He signed an executive order last year that repealed water flow restrictions put in place by former President Barack Obama.
Article content
While conservatives have bristled at the regulations aimed at reducing energy use, the requirements were mandated by laws signed by George W. Bush and other Republican presidents, said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project.
Article content
Article content
English (US)