- President Trump signed four Congressional Review Act resolutions into law, repealing Biden-era regulations on energy efficiency standards for consumer and commercial appliances. The repealed regulations were U.S. Department of Energy rules that imposed stricter standards for household appliances, including dishwashers, washing machines, and gas-fired water heaters, as well as commercial equipment such as walk-in freezers and refrigeration units. The Trump Administration and other supporters, such as Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, maintain that the repeals will reduce costs for manufacturers, small businesses, and consumers by protecting product availability and consumer choice, while opponents, such as the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, warned that the rollbacks could increase energy consumption, raise utility bills, and undermine long-term environmental goals.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to weaken limits set by the Biden Administration last year on four Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). These “forever chemicals” have been linked to health conditions including “cancer, kidney and thyroid issues, weakened immune systems and fertility issues.” EPA will eliminate and reconsider the four limits. EPA will also keep two other Biden-era limits on “common types” of PFAS, but EPA will extend that compliance deadline by two years. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency plans to “uphold nationwide standards to protect Americans,” while at the same time providing “common-sense flexibility in the form of additional time for compliance.”
