Adjustable water heaters could make return

If you’ve purchased a water heater for your house in the last few months, you may have been surprised to find you can’t turn the temperature up.

That may be changing under rules imposed by two Resolutions passed in the U.S. House.

Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) released the following statement at the House passed the resolutions to begin to  undo what sponsors see as President Biden’s war on American energy. Schmidt is a co-sponsor of both bills.

Res. 20 formally disapproves of a Biden administration rule limiting consumer choice of water heaters. The resulting price increases would disproportionately impact America’s seniors and working class families.

Res. 35 formally disapproves of a Biden administration rule imposing harsh financial penalties on energy producers.

“Kansans don’t need Washington to tell us what kind of water heaters we should buy,” Congressman Schmidt said. “And the Biden methane fee would cripple the small producer oil and gas production we have in eastern Kansas, hurting thousands of small businesses, workers, and landowners.

This week’s votes are a step toward rolling back the intrusion of big government into our lives and making energy more affordable for Kansans.”

The House passed H. J. Res. 20 and H. J. Res 35 under authority established by the Congressional Review Act, an important tool that allows Congress to undo federal agency rules.

The majority of American households rely on natural gas, which is one of the cleanest energy sources in the world.

H.J. Res 20 would establish new minimum efficiency standards for gas-fired water heaters.

This effectively mandates fuel switching, resulting in restricted consumer choice, limited natural gas use, and higher energy prices. While the DOE estimated the rule would add $231 to the cost of a new model, industry leaders estimate a cost increase of $450-$665 per unit.

H.J. Res. 35 formally disapproves of the Biden era Environmental Protection Agency waste emissions charge rule, which was implemented on November 12, 2024.

This lame duck regulation imposed  regulations for energy producers, leading to higher prices for consumers and increased reliance on foreign energy sources.