Senator Lee Introduces Bill to Roll Back Energy Efficiency Standards, Raising Costs and Grid Strain

Washington, DC — Yesterday, Senator Mike Lee (R-AZ) introduced a bill that would roll back existing energy efficiency standards and prevent the Department of Energy from updating existing or implementing new strong efficiency standards. The bill would result in energy waste, adding extra strain to the grid and raising energy prices.

The bill would end all oversight of air conditioner efficiency, at a time when an uptick in heat waves across the country is leading to increased reliance on cooling. It would also separate fossil fuel-fired and electric appliances in different categories so inefficient gas furnaces and not be compared to very efficient heat pumps, as one example.

In addition, the bill would dramatically expand the ability of the federal government to block state and local laws designed to protect public health.

In reaction, Director of Sierra Club’s Clean Heat Campaign Srinidhi Sampath Kumar:

“This bill would hurt people who are already facing high utility bills and who want to lower those bills as well as the pollution in their homes by installing efficient appliances. By making it virtually impossible to update efficiency standards for appliances as best in-class technologies become available, this bill is nothing but a handout to the fossil fuel industry.”