Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating Equipment".
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 15
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:39Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 15) aims to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) that sets new energy efficiency standards for commercial water heating equipment. It uses the Congressional Review Act—a law allowing Congress to review and potentially overturn federal agency rules—to nullify the rule before it takes effect.
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of the Rule: Congress formally disapproves the DOE's final rule titled "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating Equipment," published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2023 (volume 88, page 69686).
- No Force or Effect: The rule is declared to have no legal authority or impact, preventing its enforcement.
- Legislative Process: Introduced in the House of Representatives on January 9, 2025, by Representative Messmer and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for review.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend broader laws but directly overrides a specific DOE regulation under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (which authorizes energy efficiency standards).
- It invokes the Congressional Review Act (chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code), a procedural tool that lets Congress disapprove rules submitted by agencies within a set timeframe after publication, effectively halting the rule without needing presidential approval if passed by both chambers and not vetoed.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Limits the DOE's ability to enforce the new standards, potentially requiring the agency to redirect resources from implementation to defending or revising related policies.
- On Citizens and Businesses: Businesses and manufacturers of commercial water heaters (used in settings like hotels, restaurants, and offices) avoid mandatory upgrades to more efficient models, which could reduce short-term costs but maintain higher energy use. Consumers and the environment may see less progress toward energy savings and reduced emissions.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly affect U.S. commitments to global energy efficiency goals, such as those under international climate agreements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Energy (DOE): Loses authority to implement the rule, affecting its regulatory agenda on energy conservation.
- Manufacturers and Importers: Companies producing or selling commercial water heating equipment benefit from avoiding compliance costs for redesigned products.
- Commercial Users: Industries relying on water heaters (e.g., hospitality, food service) face no new efficiency requirements, potentially lowering operational expenses.
- Environmental and Energy Advocates: Groups pushing for reduced energy consumption and lower greenhouse gases may oppose the disapproval, as it delays efficiency improvements.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Reinforces congressional oversight of executive branch actions, potentially influencing future agency rulemaking.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the role of the Congressional Review Act as a check on agency power, ensuring rules cannot proceed if Congress acts swiftly (typically within 60 legislative days of submission). The rule's nullification is immediate upon passage, without needing further judicial review.
- Constitutional: Highlights the separation of powers, with Congress reasserting legislative authority over executive regulations, aligning with Article I's vesting of lawmaking in Congress.
- Political: Demonstrates partisan dynamics in energy policy, where disapproval could signal resistance to perceived overreach in environmental regulations; if enacted, it sets a precedent for challenging similar DOE rules in future sessions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Water Heating Equipment". — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (2 pages)