The Department of Energy reversed Trump’s rules on dishwashers, washers, and dryers, but is behind on reviewing more than 30 standards.
Biden’s Department of Energy continued reversing Trump administration’s assault on energy efficiency standards this week by undoing rules that would have allowed certain models of dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers to use unlimited water and energy.
As a reminder, the Trump administration invented a new product class for dishwashers, washers, and dryers that default to a short cycle, exempting them from existing efficiency standards. Many clothes washer and dryer models already had short cycle times and met the efficiency standards. Several appliance manufacturers publicly opposed the Trump rule change, and since finalized, no major manufacturer have created a product to take advantage of the loophole.
Advocates for energy efficiency applauded the move but argued that Biden has not been moving fast enough. They want the Department of Energy not only to overturn Trump’s rules but also to begin the process of setting new, more stringent standards.
