House Repeals Biden-Era Energy Efficiency Rules for Commercial Fridges

Supporters view the regulatory rollback as a boon for restaurants, pharmacies, convenience stores and more.

The House voted on March 27 to overturn Biden-era regulations and set energy efficiency standards for walk-in fridges, freezers and coolers.

Five Democrats joined all 209 Republicans as the House voted 214-193 to abolish the commercial refrigeration standards imposed in December. The repeal was in compliance with the Congressional Review Act, which allowed Congress to scrap rules submitted within the past 60 years.

The home also passed a resolution to abolish the commercial refrigeration standard introduced three years ago. Six Democrats joined all 197 Republicans and voted for the measure.

In a statement, Brett Guthrie (R-KY.), chairman of the Housing and Commercial Commission, and Bob Latta (R-Ohio), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications Technology, said the rules “will not save costs and improve food safety, but are not costly for businesses and families.”

The measure was introduced by Craig Goldman (R-Texas) and Stephanie Vice (R-Okla.).

“Walking ink and freezers are essential for pharmacies, convenience stores, food processing facilities, food banks, restaurants and many other facilities across the country,” the same statement said. “The regulations, with an estimated cost of $1 billion, would have been a crippling one for businesses across the country, especially in rural areas. We must continue to oppose federal overreach and thank our colleagues for their support on this important measure.”

When publishing the rules in December, the Department of Energy said the new standards for the units “provide a significant conservation of energy, which is technically feasible and economically justified.” The regulations came into effect on February 21st.

Prior to the vote, Democrats expressed their opposition to the House floor.

“It’s baffling to me that we’re talking about overturning common sense energy efficiency standards, among the surge in electricity costs, which are the highest since the 1990s,” says Rep. Kevin Marin (D-Calif).

Rep. Kathy Caster (D-Fla.) said the resolution “it is difficult for business owners to save money through energy-efficient appliances.”

The resolution demonstrates the Trump administration and the GOP’s efforts to cut regulations.

According to the White House, the cost of regulations enacted by the Biden administration was $2 billion, “has dramatically increased the costs of everyday workers and businesses, leaving billions of dollars in the pipeline’s still proposed rules.” Under the current administration, 10 regulations need to be cut for all new regulations.

The resolution will be sent to the Senate. The Senate needs a simple majority as it is not subject to the 60-vote filibuster threshold that applies to most measures in the Senate.