**Congress Rejects New Energy Standards for Gas Water Heaters**

Chamber
senate

8 days ago - Politics

Congress Blocks New Energy Standards for Water Heaters

In a significant decision, Congress has passed a resolution that blocks a new rule from the Department of Energy related to gas-fired water heaters. The resolution passed with a vote of 53 in favor and 44 against, primarily driven by Republicans who supported it.

The Department of Energy had introduced a plan to require gas water heaters to be more energy-efficient. These new standards aimed to help families save on energy costs and reduce energy usage. However, Congress decided that implementing these changes is not the right choice at this time.

By blocking the new efficiency standards, gas-fired water heaters will not need to meet higher energy-saving requirements. This could lead to increased energy use and potentially higher electricity bills for many households in the future.

The resolution that stopped the rule, labeled H.J. Res. 20, was initially passed by the House of Representatives on February 27, 2025. With this action, Congress set back efforts that could have helped both consumers and the environment by promoting better 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.

97 votes

Yes

53

No

44

Not Voting

3

  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