New energy-efficiency standards for kitchen appliances put forward by the Department of Energy (DOE) are being challenged by a 23-state coalition of attorneys general, led by Nebraska Attorney General (AG) Mike Hilgers.
Hilgers claims the rule will increase the costs of kitchen appliances nationwide, continuing — in his words — the Biden Administration’s “assault on household appliances.”
The new energy-efficiency standards for stoves and ovens were finalized in January of 2024 by the DOE, seeking to update long-outdated standards for emissions from electric/gas cooktops, oven ranges and ovens, and other kitchen/household appliances. The proposal factored in recommendations from stakeholders, including the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, Consumer Federation of America, and energy efficiency advocates.
According to the DOE, 97% of gas stove models and 77% of smooth electric stove models already meet the new standards. If implemented, the standards would not go into effect until 2028 and save U.S. consumers up to $1.6 billion over 30 years.
However, AG Hilgers says these new regulations will raise the cost of kitchen appliances “in favor of an extreme climate agenda.”
The coalitions main gripe, voiced today in a co-authored letter to the DOE, is the usage of a procedure known as a “direct final rule,” whereby a federal agency skips the normal process of allowing interested parties to submit comments before finalizing a rule. The comment letter calls on the Department of Energy to give the States and consumers an opportunity to critique the rule before it takes effect.
“The Department of Energy should follow the normal procedures and allow consumers to voice their concerns before imposing its stringent new rules on stoves and ovens,” stated Attorney General Hilgers.
The full comment letter form AG Hilgers is available below.