American Lung Association: Plan to Roll Back Energy Efficiency Rules will Increase Air Pollution, Increase Costs for Families

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced proposals to roll back dozens of rules, including rules that make appliances more efficient. In response, the American Lung Association’s President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:

“Today’s announcement just doesn’t make sense for families across America. Rolling back energy efficiency rules would increase air pollution and increase utility costs. This is bad news for people’s health.

“Energy efficiency standards are good for families. They ensure that the appliances in our homes use less energy and are less polluting. But today’s announcement includes rolling back standards for a range of home appliances, from washing machines to battery chargers to microwaves to portable air conditioners. Weakening these standards would reverse decades of progress in reducing air pollution, improving public health, lowering energy costs and cutting carbon emissions. 

“It is important to remember that currently, these energy efficiency standards are still in place. The Department of Energy’s leadership can’t undo them with this announcement, they must follow the correct process. The Lung Association will use every tool in our toolbox to defend these standards and protect the health of families.

“Clean air doesn’t just happen by default. To cut dangerous pollution from the air we breathe, it takes work. It takes strong standards. It takes implementation and enforcement, not rollbacks.”