Statement of Ron Burke, President and CEO, Alliance for Water Efficiency Concerning the Passage of Legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives Critical of Water and Energy Efficiency Standards
In May and July of 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bills (H.R.6192 and H.R. 7700) that threaten to block or weaken federal water and energy efficiency product standards. The Alliance for Water Efficiency opposes these bills, which are inconsistent with more than 35 years of congressional support for laws that help families afford utility bills by ensuring that appliances, plumbing fixtures, and other products are water and energy efficient.
As efficiency standards have been gradually strengthened, manufacturers have implemented innovations that enable products to not only meet the standards but to also perform at a high level. Proponents of this recent legislation, as well as states that have filed lawsuits to block efficiency standards, cite anecdotal reports as evidence that efficiency measures undermine product performance. However, comprehensive product testing demonstrates that efficient products generally perform better than older, less efficient models.
For example, in a February 2024 press release, Consumer Reports referred to new clothes washer and dryer standards as a “win-win for consumers,” noting that "[t]here are washers and dryers available today that already meet these new standards, and they are highly rated for their cleaning and drying performance in our recent testing.”
Today, families save money, water supplies go further, and the air is cleaner thanks to federal efficiency standards that have resulted in cost-effective product improvements. Given the track record of success, it’s not surprising that the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers supports federal efficiency standards adopted this year that some state officials and members of Congress oppose.
To help ensure affordable utility bills and reliable water supplies, the Alliance for Water Efficiency urges states and Congress to oppose legislation and lawsuits that would undermine federal product efficiency standards.