S.jres4 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters. (119th Congress)
Summary
This document is a joint resolution (S.J. Res. 4) introduced in the Senate during the 119th Congress. It aims to disapprove a rule submitted by the Department of Energy (DOE) concerning energy conservation standards for consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. The resolution invokes Chapter 8 of Title 5 of the United States Code, which provides a mechanism for congressional review of agency rulemaking.
The resolution was introduced by Senator Cruz, along with several co-sponsors. It expresses Congress's intent to nullify the DOE rule, preventing it from taking effect.
The specific rule in question is identified as 89 Fed. Reg. 105188 (December 26, 2024).
Expected Effects
If enacted, this resolution would prevent the Department of Energy's rule on energy conservation standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters from taking effect. This means that the existing standards, or lack thereof, would remain in place.
The immediate effect would be to halt any changes to manufacturing or consumer behavior that the new rule would have mandated. The long-term effect would depend on whether the DOE attempts to issue a revised rule or if Congress takes further action on energy conservation standards.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially lower initial costs for consumers purchasing gas-fired instantaneous water heaters, as manufacturers would not need to implement new energy-saving technologies.
- Could prevent potential disruptions to the supply chain or availability of certain types of water heaters.
- May protect jobs in industries that could be negatively impacted by stricter energy conservation standards.
- Could reduce the regulatory burden on manufacturers, allowing them to focus on innovation and product development without being constrained by specific energy efficiency requirements.
- Addresses concerns about the potential impact of the rule on consumer choice and affordability.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potentially higher long-term energy costs for consumers due to less efficient water heaters.
- Reduced energy conservation, leading to increased consumption of natural gas.
- Negative environmental impacts due to higher greenhouse gas emissions.
- May hinder the development and adoption of more energy-efficient water heating technologies.
- Could conflict with broader national goals for energy efficiency and climate change mitigation.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
This resolution aligns with Article I, Section 1 of the US Constitution, which vests all legislative powers in Congress. The Congressional Review Act (CRA), under which this resolution is brought, is a mechanism by which Congress can check the power of the Executive branch and its agencies in creating regulations.
The CRA itself was designed to ensure agency regulations are consistent with Congressional intent. By disapproving the DOE rule, Congress is asserting its authority to oversee and potentially reject regulations it deems inconsistent with its policy goals.
Furthermore, the resolution does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).