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 Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters".
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 20
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-6
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-09: Became Public Law No: 119-6.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T15:43:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 20) aims to disapprove and nullify a specific rule issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) under the Congressional Review Act (a law that allows Congress to overturn certain federal agency rules). The rule in question sets energy conservation standards for consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters, which are on-demand water heaters powered by natural gas.
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of the Rule: Congress explicitly disapproves the DOE rule titled "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters," published in the Federal Register on December 26, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 105188).
- Nullification: The rule is declared to have no legal force or effect, preventing it from being implemented.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution overrides the DOE's rule without altering broader energy conservation laws, such as the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (which authorizes the DOE to set efficiency standards for appliances).
- It blocks the adoption of new, stricter efficiency requirements for these water heaters that the DOE had finalized, reverting to the previous standards in place before this rule.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Limits the DOE's ability to enforce new energy efficiency mandates in this area, potentially requiring the agency to redirect resources or defend similar rules in the future.
- On Citizens: Consumers may continue using or purchasing water heaters that do not meet the proposed higher efficiency standards, possibly leading to higher long-term energy bills and greater natural gas consumption, but avoiding immediate costs for compliance upgrades.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the rule focuses on domestic appliance standards and does not involve trade or foreign policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Energy (DOE): Directly impacted as the rule's issuer; its regulatory authority is checked.
- Manufacturers and Industry: Gas water heater producers (e.g., companies in the plumbing and appliance sectors) benefit from avoiding new design or production changes to meet efficiency standards.
- Consumers and Households: Everyday users of gas water heaters, who may face unchanged product availability but potential increases in energy use and costs over time.
- Environmental and Energy Advocates: Groups pushing for reduced energy waste or emissions may oppose this, as it delays improvements in efficiency that could lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Invokes the Congressional Review Act (chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code), a streamlined process for Congress to review and veto agency rules within a short window (typically 60 legislative days). This ensures the rule cannot be reissued in substantially similar form without new congressional approval.
- Constitutional: Reinforces the separation of powers by allowing the legislative branch to oversee executive agency actions, preventing unchecked rulemaking on energy policy.
- Political: Highlights congressional intervention in executive environmental regulations, potentially signaling partisan divides on energy efficiency and fossil fuel use, though the resolution itself is a bipartisan procedural tool.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (29)
Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2], Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11], Rep. Messmer, Mark [R-IN-8], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-09: Became Public Law No: 119-6.
- 2025-05-09: Became Public Law No: 119-6.
- 2025-05-09: Signed by President.
- 2025-05-09: Signed by President.
- 2025-05-09: Presented to President.
- 2025-05-09: Presented to President.
- 2025-04-10: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-04-10: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 44. Record Vote Number: 207. (Roll call 207)
- 2025-04-10: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 44. Record Vote Number: 207. (Roll call 207)
- 2025-04-10: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2533, S2537-2538)
- 2025-04-09: Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2506)
- 2025-04-09: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 42. Record Vote Number: 206. (Roll call 206)
- 2025-03-03: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 17.
- 2025-02-27: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-02-27: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 198, 2 Present (Roll no. 53). (text: CR H884) (Roll call 53)
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 Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters". — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (4 pages)
- 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 Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters". — issued 2025-04-16 — PDF (1 pages)
- 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 Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters". — issued 2025-01-15 — PDF (2 pages)
- 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 Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters". — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (4 pages)