On the recordJune 13, 2023
This amendment strikes the language preventing the Department of Energy from implementing any substantially similar rule. Removing this language would allow the Department of Energy to just reissue another gas stove ban after my bill becomes law. I rise in opposition to this amendment, which strikes important language in the underlying bill. That language would prevent the Department of Energy from reissuing a nearly identical rule to ban gas stoves. H.R. 1640 allows the Department of Energy to issue energy efficiency standards that are cost effective and that have a significant amount of energy for consumers. This is the current standard under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, and H.R. 1640 does nothing to change that. The Biden administration's politically motivated proposal to ban a majority of gas stoves violates the statutory requirements of EPCA because it fails to save consumers money or energy and because it removes products from the market simply because they use natural gas. The Energy and Commerce Committee held hearings on this and conducted oversight. The facts are clear that the Department of Energy should withdraw this misguided rule, and DOE should be prohibited from reissuing a substantially similar rule. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and support the underlying bill, the Save Our Gas Stoves Act. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
