Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers".
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 75
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-9
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-09: Became Public Law No: 119-9.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T15:38:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 75) uses the Congressional Review Act (a law allowing Congress to review and overturn certain federal agency rules) to disapprove a specific energy efficiency regulation issued by the Department of Energy (DOE). The goal is to prevent the rule from taking effect, thereby blocking new mandatory standards for energy use in commercial refrigeration equipment.
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of the Rule: Congress explicitly disapproves the DOE's rule titled "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers," published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2025 (90 Fed. Reg. 7464).
- Nullification: The rule is declared to have no legal force or effect, meaning it cannot be implemented or enforced.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution overrides the DOE's authority to enforce the new energy conservation standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (the original law empowering DOE to set such standards).
- It prevents updates to existing efficiency requirements for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers, maintaining the status quo from prior standards rather than adopting stricter ones.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy loses the ability to implement this rule, potentially limiting its regulatory reach on energy efficiency programs. This could affect future DOE rulemaking if similar resolutions are pursued.
- On Citizens and Businesses: Commercial food service operators, retailers, and other businesses using refrigeration equipment avoid higher upfront costs for compliant appliances but may face ongoing higher energy bills due to less efficient models. Consumers could see indirect effects through stable or higher prices for goods stored in such equipment.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could influence U.S. alignment with global energy efficiency norms (e.g., those from the International Energy Agency), potentially slowing U.S. progress on international climate commitments.
- Environmental and Energy Savings: The rule's blockage may reduce projected energy savings (estimated in the original rule) and increase greenhouse gas emissions from less efficient appliances.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Manufacturers: Producers of commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers (e.g., companies like True Manufacturing or Traulsen) benefit by avoiding redesign and compliance costs.
- Business Users: Restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, and other commercial entities that rely on this equipment gain short-term cost relief but may incur higher long-term energy expenses.
- Government Entities: The DOE and related agencies face a setback in energy conservation goals; Congress asserts greater control over executive regulations.
- Environmental Groups and Consumers: Advocacy organizations (e.g., those focused on climate change) and energy-conscious users may oppose the resolution, as it delays efficiency improvements benefiting the environment and utility bills.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the Congressional Review Act's role in checking agency overreach, ensuring rules submitted within 60 legislative days of a new Congress can be overturned with a simple majority vote (no presidential signature needed if passed by both chambers).
- Constitutional: Highlights the separation of powers, with Congress exercising its legislative authority to review executive actions, potentially setting a precedent for challenging regulations from the prior administration.
- Political: As part of the 119th Congress (beginning in 2025), this reflects partisan efforts to roll back Biden-era environmental rules, signaling a shift toward deregulation under a possible Republican-led Congress, which could encourage similar actions on other energy or climate policies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Messmer, Mark [R-IN-8], Rep. Moore, Riley [R-WV-2], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-09: Became Public Law No: 119-9.
- 2025-05-09: Became Public Law No: 119-9.
- 2025-05-09: Signed by President.
- 2025-05-09: Signed by President.
- 2025-05-06: Presented to President.
- 2025-05-06: Presented to President.
- 2025-05-01: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-05-01: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 45. Record Vote Number: 228. (consideration: CR S2726-2727) (Roll call 228)
- 2025-05-01: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 45. Record Vote Number: 228. (Roll call 228)
- 2025-04-30: Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2683, S2695-2696)
- 2025-04-30: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 46. Record Vote Number: 224. (Roll call 224)
- 2025-03-31: Received in the Senate, read twice.
- 2025-03-27: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-03-27: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 193 (Roll no. 78). (text: 3/26/2024 CR H1284) (Roll call 78)
- 2025-03-27: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 193 (Roll no. 78). (text: 3/26/2024 CR H1284) (Roll call 78)
Bill Versions
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers". — issued 2025-03-27 — PDF (4 pages)
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers". — issued 2025-05-06 — PDF (1 pages)
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers". — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (2 pages)
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers". — issued 2025-03-31 — PDF (2 pages)