**Senate Blocks New Energy Efficiency Standards for Gas Water Heaters**

Chamber
senate

9 days ago - Politics

Senate Votes to Block Energy Efficiency Standards for Gas Water Heaters

In a recent vote, the Senate decided to block new energy-saving rules for gas water heaters proposed by the Department of Energy. This means that gas-fired water heaters will not have to meet stricter energy efficiency requirements that were designed to help save energy and reduce costs for families.

Republicans in the Senate led the charge to support this decision. They voted to move ahead with the resolution, which resulted in a tally of 52 in favor and 42 against. This vote allows the current less efficient energy standards to remain in place instead of enforcing the new ones.

The Department of Energy had aimed to change the rules to encourage manufacturers to create water heaters that use less energy. These improvements could have helped families lower their energy bills and contribute positively to the environment by using less energy overall. However, Congress decided that now is not the right time for these changes.

By blocking these new rules, the Senate has kept the existing standards, which could mean that households may face higher energy usage and potentially higher bills over time. This decision impacts how much energy gas water heaters will consume and, in turn, affects family budgets and efforts to promote energy efficiency.

This is a plan that stops new rules made by the Department of Energy about energy-saving standards for gas water heaters.

Key Points:

  • Congress does not agree with the new rule from the Department of Energy that sets energy conservation standards for gas water heaters.
  • This rule was published on December 26, 2024, but Congress has decided that it will not be enforced.
  • The House of Representatives passed this decision on February 27, 2025.

Supporting Details:

  • The decision is formalized in a joint resolution by both the Senate and House of Representatives.
  • The rule will have no power or effect if Congress disapproves it.

This means that if you use gas water heaters, the current standards will stay the same, and any new rules will not change how they work or save energy.

94 votes

Yes

52

No

42

Not Voting

6

  1. Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2506: 2)
  2. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 42. Record Vote Number: 206.
    Learn more
  3. Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 17.
  4. Placed on Calendar Senate

    This is a plan that stops new rules made by the Department of Energy about energy-saving standards for gas water heaters.

    Key Points:

    • Congress does not agree with the new rule from the Department of Energy that sets energy conservation standards for gas water heaters.
    • This rule was published on December 26, 2024, but Congress has decided that it will not be enforced.
    • The House of Representatives passed this decision on February 27, 2025.

    Supporting Details:

    • The decision is formalized in a joint resolution by both the Senate and House of Representatives.
    • The rule will have no power or effect if Congress disapproves it.

    This means that if you use gas water heaters, the current standards will stay the same, and any new rules will not change how they work or save energy.

  5. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  6. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 198, 2 Present (Roll no. 53). (text: CR H884)
    Learn more
  7. On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 198, 2 Present (Roll no. 53). (text: CR H884)
    Learn more
  8. The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  9. DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 20.
  10. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 20, H.J. Res. 35 and H. Con. Res. 14. The resolution provides for consideration of two joint resolutions, H.J.Res.20, under a closed rule and H.J.Res. 35, under a closed rule. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H. Con. Res. 14, under a closed rule. The joint resolutions are debated for one hour each and the concurrent resolution is debated for 3 hours.
  11. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 161. (consideration: CR H884-889)
  12. Engrossed in House

    This is a joint resolution that stops new rules about energy-saving standards for gas water heaters.

    1. Congress disapproves a rule made by the Department of Energy about how gas water heaters should save energy.
    2. This rule will not be enforced or take effect.
    3. The House of Representatives passed this resolution on February 27, 2025.

    This means there will be no new energy-saving rules for these water heaters, which could affect how energy is used in homes.

  13. Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 161 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 20, H.J. Res. 35 and H. Con. Res. 14. The resolution provides for consideration of two joint resolutions, H.J.Res.20, under a closed rule and H.J.Res. 35, under a closed rule. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H. Con. Res. 14, under a closed rule. The joint resolutions are debatable for one hour each and the concurrent resolution is debatable for 3 hours.
  14. Introduced in House

    This is a resolution that stops new rules about water heaters.

    1. Congress does not agree with the rules made by the Department of Energy about energy standards for gas water heaters.
    2. The rules would have made changes that Congress thinks are not good.
    3. Because of this decision, the rules will not be used or enforced.

    This will affect how gas water heaters are sold and used, keeping the previous standards in place.

  15. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  16. Introduced in House