Preparing for the New Political Landscape

AWE and our partner organizations are preparing for the possibility, if not the likelihood, that the incoming Trump administration will attempt to weaken federal water efficiency initiatives. It is too early to know with certainty, but federal water and energy efficiency standards are likely to be in the crosshairs.   

During his first term, President Trump’s Department of Energy adopted weakened standards for shower heads and appliances like dishwashers and clothes washers. President Biden reversed direction and took steps to improve efficiency standards further, but the standards continue to work through the rulemaking process and be litigated in the courts. On the campaign trail, President-elect Trump frequently made unsubstantiated claims about water-efficient fixtures performing poorly, and those claims have gotten traction, with the U.S. House of Representatives passing legislation earlier this year that would block or weaken federal water and energy efficiency product standards. 

These actions are inconsistent with more than 35 years of Congressional support for laws that help lower utility bills for families by ensuring that appliances, plumbing fixtures, and other products are water and energy efficient. Moreover, with improved efficiency, utilities can avoid capital and operating expenditures because they have less water and wastewater to manage. Similarly, private wells and septic systems can be smaller and less expensive because of these efficiency standards.  

As efficiency standards have been gradually strengthened, manufacturers have implemented innovations that enable products to not only meet efficiency standards but also perform at a high level. Critics cite anecdotal reports as evidence that efficiency measures undermine product performance. However, comprehensive product testing by independent laboratories and organizations 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 earlier this year and opposed the Trump Administration’s efforts to weaken standards in his first term.  

AWE will also continue to advocate for WaterSense funding. This vital, voluntary program has helped transform the marketplace to include thousands of plumbing and irrigation products that are especially water efficient. We will also support the preservation of funding for Water Smart Grants and water infrastructure included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act.  

Beyond playing defense, AWE will continue our proactive work in DC to pass legislation to eliminate taxation of conservation rebates, create a Plumbing Repair and Efficiency Assistance Program for low-income households, and create a tax credit for WaterSense-labeled homes. Our complete list of policy priorities for the 2025 calendar year is available here.   

With a new presidential administration and Congress taking office in January, AWE remains committed to supporting our members and our mission. Stay updated on AWE's policy activities by visiting the policy page on our website. For questions or comments, contact Andrew Morris, Director of Policy, at andrew@a4we.org. 

- Ron Burke, CEO, Alliance for Water Efficiency