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Energy & Environment
Energy & Environment
The Big Story
Biden publishes diluted gas stove efficiency rule
The Biden administration has published a new rule for some gas and electric stoves to be more efficient — but these rules are significantly weaker than what was initially proposed.
The Energy Department said in a press release that 97 percent of gas stoves and 77 percent of electric stoves on the market already meet the requirements it is proposing.
This is down from the 50 percent of gas stoves on the market it estimated would be impacted by the rule last year.
The actual efficiency requirement for the gas stoves is also weakened, now allowing stoves that use 1.77 million British Thermal Units (BTUs) of energy per year, up from only allowing 1.204 million BTUs in its initial proposal.
The rule only applies to new stoves being sold and would not force households whose stoves do not meet the standards to get rid of their existing appliances.
The final rule’s requirements for smooth electric cooktops remain unchanged from the initial proposal, though in the final rule, the department also jettisoned a proposed standard that would have affected electric stoves with coils.
Welcome to The Hill’s
Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.
Nearly a year after a freight train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, a research report published this month estimates that more than 3 million Americans are at risk from potential derailments involving the same substances.
A Colorado environmental group is asking a federal judge to strike down a $2 billion plan that would reroute river water to the state’s expanding northern communities.
Former President Trump dug into United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain on Sunday for his endorsement of President Biden, arguing the union leader does not “understand” the future of the automobile industry.
The
House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing Tuesdaytitled “Examining the Opportunities and Challenges of Land Consolidation in Indian Country“
What We’re Reading
News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:
A North Carolina PFAS factory claims its emissions fell by 99.99%. A test reveals otherwise (The Guardian)
Human Rights Watch blames Louisiana regulators for low birth weights in Cancer Alley (Grist)
Bayer ordered to pay $2.25 billion in latest Roundup trial (Reuters)
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) came in fifth place in a straw poll of voters in the district where the controversial congresswoman recently relocated and is trying to win reelection to the House. Read more
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) has made supporting the war in Ukraine a signature policy priority, but his efforts have been complicated by fellow Republicans, including former President Trump, who are moving the goalposts on the issue. Read more
Opinions in The Hill
Op-eds related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill:
