President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that his administration would reverse former President Joe Biden’s efforts to make a host of consumer products more efficient, from toilets to showerheads — including reverting back to incandescent light bulbs no longer made in the United States.
The Reversal of Efficiency Standards
Trump instructed Secretary Lee Zeldin to go back to his Environmental Orders, terminated by Biden, on Water Standards and Flow for sinks, showers, toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers. This includes reinstating common sense standards on light bulbs set by the Trump Administration but revoked by Biden.
Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, will oversee these changes, despite the Energy Department being responsible for establishing efficiency standards for consumer products.
Biden’s Efforts and Trump’s Criticism
Under Biden, the Department of Energy (DOE) implemented stricter efficiency regulations for various consumer products, leading to the phase-out of incandescent light bulbs. These actions, supported by manufacturers and consumer groups, aimed to reduce emissions and save costs.
However, Trump and his allies viewed these regulations as overreach, interfering with consumer choice. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has initiated a review of these standards to prioritize affordability and consumer preferences.
Future of Efficiency Standards
As the Trump administration works to reverse Biden’s efficiency standards, the debate over the balance between environmental concerns and consumer freedom continues. Stay updated on the developments in appliance standards and the impact on the market.
