TL/DR –
Congressman Bob Latta criticized energy efficiency policies for raising prices, limiting homeowner choices, and jeopardizing grid reliability. He argued that forced electrification ignored affordability and consumer choice, and the efficiency standards process was flawed and needed to be reformed to restore those aspects. He also criticized the Biden administration for supporting policies such as the adoption of certain energy codes and eliminating the use of fossil fuels in new federal buildings, saying these moves would increase energy usage and put additional strain on the national electric grid.
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WASHINGTON, D.C.
Congressman Bob Latta, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, recently opened a hearing titled Building the American Dream: Examining Affordability, Choice, and Security in Appliance and Buildings Policies.
Chairman Latta’s Opening Remarks
In his opening statement, Latta thanked the participating witnesses and went on to address the issues under discussion. He outlined his concerns about policies that have affected energy and product prices, making homeownership unattainable for many and threatening grid reliability.
Latta mentioned that many policies implemented supposedly for energy efficiency, such as forced electrification from the left, do not necessarily lead to increased energy efficiency and often hinder affordability and consumer choice.
While acknowledging the importance of energy conservation in catering to the nation’s growing energy demand, he emphasized that consumer choice, affordability, and innovation should be at the forefront of these goals.
Criticisms of Energy Efficiency Standards
The Chairman pointed out that the process for energy efficiency standards has been evidently broken over the last decade. The Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, he believes, needs reforms to restore consumer choice, appliance affordability, and genuine energy savings.
Despite widespread support for energy efficiency and its benefits for constituents, Latta expressed concern about the overt shift away from enhancing efficiency and realizing cost savings in recent years.
He noted that this shift has gone beyond DOE’s energy conservation standards and has affected building codes, performance standards, and local regulations on fossil fuel usage.
Housing Affordability and Appliance Costs
He highlighted the reflection of these issues in the rise of home prices over the last 15 years, making homeownership a distant dream for millions of Americans. Latta cited that over 80% of US adults believe housing affordability is a problem in their area and household appliance spending has increased by 34% since 2010.
Although several factors have contributed to these rising costs, Latta stressed the adverse impact of misguided policies and called out the Biden administration for its actions.
The Biden Administration Policies
Latta criticized the Biden administration for tying Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding to forced adoption of the 2021 model energy codes. These codes curtailed the use of gas and promoted electrification regardless of its suitability for consumers, despite data revealing that homes with natural gas hookups are over three times more affordable than electric options.
He also faulted the Biden administration for a DOE rule to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in all new and modified federal buildings from 2030 onwards. This rule, which would have applied to military installations, residential buildings, and even critical national security sites like the Pentagon, would not only have compromised national security but also increased energy usage and put more pressure on the country’s electric grid, according to Latta.
Conclusion
Calling for a balance between affordable energy use and sensible, effective energy conservation measures, Latta concluded his statement by thanking the witnesses for their participation and expressing his interest in hearing their views.
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