Energy Department’s proposed washing machine guidelines a dirty deal for Americans

03/16/2023 / By Ramon Tomey

New guidelines for washing machines proposed by the Department of Energy (DOE) eschew cleaning performance in favor of reduced water consumption.

The guidelines proposed last month were put forward in a bid to “confront the global climate crisis.” In a press release, the DOE explained that they were included in the 110 actions taken in 2022 to “strengthen energy efficiency standards.”

“Collectively, these energy efficiency actions will cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2.4 billion metric tons, save consumers $570 billion cumulatively over 30 years and support President Biden’s ambitious clean energy agenda to combat the climate crisis,” the press release stated.

An Energy Department spokesman told Fox News that these guidelines “would not reduce product performance or negatively impact cleaning ability or cycle time.”

The spokesperson added: “Despite misleading claims to the contrary, these proposals are intended for nothing more than promoting innovation and keeping money in the pockets of Americans everywhere without sacrificing the reliability and performance that consumers expect and rely on.”

The proposed changes to washing machines followed earlier moves by the Biden administration to regulate appliances in the name of stopping “climate change.” According to the Washington Free Beacon, the DOE published an analysis of its proposed cooking appliance efficiency regulations. Had the proposal passed, it would have banned half of gas stoves sold in America.

The DOE also targeted refrigerators by means of new efficiency standards, which could come into effect in 2027. All this, for the purported drive to address “emissions” and stop “climate change.” (Related:
Federal government wants you to save the planet while you nuke your food.)

Proposed guidelines draw criticisms from appliance makers

Leading appliance makers such as Whirlpool did not take too kindly to the Energy Department’s guidelines. In public comments to the proposal, they pointed out that the mandates would force them to reduce cleaning performance just to comply with the new rules. This could lead to more expensive detergent and appliance prices, longer cycle times and inefficient clothes washing.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers also put in its two cents, arguing that the new regulations “would have a disproportionate, negative impact on low-income households” by eliminating cheaper appliances from the market. It added that the most appliances covered under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 “now operate at peak efficiency.” AHAM also mentioned that putting additional “climate change” compliance guidelines is unlikely to provide “meaningful energy savings” and “could put performance at risk.”

American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow James Coleman said that while the guidelines purportedly won’t reduce appliance performance, “skepticism is warranted because past regulations have often been found to reduce performance.”

Travis Fisher, senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Energy, Climate and Environment, remarked that manufacturers’ concerns over the Energy Department’s guidelines are justified. He told the Free Beacon: “When you’re squeezing all you can out of the efficiency in terms of electricity use and water – you, by definition, either make the appliance worse or slower.”

“Why are we so focused on the energy output as opposed to if it’s helping me wash my clothes? That standard has kind of gone off the rails. They keep tightening the standards, and I’m not sure their reasoning makes sense anymore.”

Visit GreenTyranny.news for more stories about absurd proposals to combat “climate change.”

Watch Glenn Beck explain below how the Biden administration’s proposed ban on gas stoves is a “right-wing conspiracy theory” proven true.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.