4 hours ago
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President-elect Donald Trump may find it difficult to undo energy efficiency standards set by Joe Biden, which aim to cut greenhouse emissions and reduce energy costs.
Nicolás Rivero reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Biden’s administration set energy efficiency standards for dozens of appliances, potentially cutting emissions equivalent to 18 million cars annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
- These rules could save American households nearly $270 billion over 20 years, according to a report by the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, and significantly reduce energy usage in buildings.
- While Trump can’t reverse these rules outright, he might delay future updates or let lawsuits weaken them.
Key quote:
“The law has an anti-backsliding clause that’s very strong. It says that no new standard can be weaker than the existing standard.”
— Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project
Why this matters:
Improved energy efficiency curbs greenhouse gas emissions and saves money for consumers, especially in areas with high energy costs. Weakening these rules could stall climate progress and leave future gains unrealized.
Related: New energy efficiency standards announced for home appliances
