Yesterday we learned that the EU is planning on some major controls of small appliances, like hair dryers, smartphones, and electric kettles, to go with their controls on large appliances. Obama doesn’t like to be outdone
(The Hill) The Obama administration is working on new efficiency standards for seemingly every appliance but the kitchen sink.
Spurred by President Obama’s climate action plan, the Department of Energy is pumping out new standards for refrigerators, dishwashers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, furnaces, boilers, water heaters, lamps and many more appliances.
The administration says the standards will not only help the planet but also stimulate the economy by saving consumers money on their energy bills that they can spend elsewhere.
But industry groups argue the standards, which will apply to both commercial and household appliances, could slow the economy, and that the Energy Department is rushing the new rules while overestimating the savings. Other critics argue the push to regulate household appliances is evidence of a nanny state. (snip)
The rules will affect nearly every household in the country.
“We all have a microwave or a refrigerator or a dishwasher, so these rules do affect basically every American household,†said Sofie Miller, a researcher at The George Washington University’s Regulatory Studies Center.
While the rules may save a bit of energy (and there is nothing wrong with that, though it should be the consumer choice, not Government Mandate), it will also drive up the cost of the appliances/devices, which will harm the lower and middle classes.
Green groups and the Energy Department acknowledge the standards will lead to more expensive appliances but say consumers will save money in the long run on their energy bills.
“This can be a nice opportunity to save consumers money,†said Kathleen Hogan, deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency at the DOE.
Only In Liberal World do we save money after having our costs jacked up.
The overlooked effect is as you reduce the KWH you use the power companies raise their rates to maintain their income. The consumer saves nothing.
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