Trump Orders Energy Dept. To Cease Enforcement of Biden-Era Appliance Rules

In a decisive move against the burdensome environmental mandates imposed by the previous administration, President Donald Trump has ordered a rollback of widely criticized efficiency regulations on common household appliances—rules that experts warned would hike consumer costs while offering minimal energy savings.

Earlier this month, Trump directed the Department of Energy to halt enforcement and initiate the repeal of Obama-era rules governing water flow limits in faucets, toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines. Calling the regulations “unnecessary radical green agenda policies,” Trump reaffirmed his commitment to ending the federal government’s intrusion into the daily lives of American families.

This policy shift marks a significant victory for advocates of consumer freedom and common sense governance. For years, the American people have borne the costs of overzealous environmental regulation pushed by leftist bureaucrats and special interests in Washington, critics say.

As Restoration News reported, appliance mandates enforced under the EPA’s Energy Star program have resulted in sky-high prices and reduced performance. For instance, dishwashers now take up to two hours to clean a load—double the time they once needed—while washing machines cost up to $100 more thanks to regulatory compliance.

The overregulation of household products can be traced back to the 1992 Energy Policy Act, which gave federal agencies sweeping authority to mandate appliance standards. Once hailed as a forward-looking policy, the Energy Star program has since come under fire across the political spectrum. Studies over the years have shown these rules often reduce appliance effectiveness and durability, doing more harm than good for consumers.

During Trump’s first term, the White House paused these mandates and began reversing many of the most overreaching policies. However, the Biden-Harris administration wasted no time reinstating and expanding the regulations upon taking office—prompting outrage from manufacturers, consumers, and lawmakers alike.

“Lightbulb prices have doubled due to Biden-era regulations,” Restoration News noted. “The eco-activist attack on natural gas would’ve rendered gas-fired water heaters unaffordable for most families. Yet Biden’s electric water heater standards would’ve sent prices skyrocketing by nearly $1,000 if they were allowed to go into effect in 2029, the year Kamala Harris would be leaving office if she’d won the White House last year.”

The outlet also pointed to glaring hypocrisy from Democratic leaders, recalling, “The Left’s climate change paranoia sparked a campaign to rid America of gas stoves in 2023 using these same efficiency standards—even as Harris posed next to her own gas stove for a touching Thanksgiving photo.”

In his directive, President Trump pulled no punches:

“Water conservation requirements for faucets, showers, bathtubs, and toilets — promulgated by the Department of Energy pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-486) — make bathroom appliances more expensive and less functional. ‘Efficiency’ standards render other American appliances like clothes washers and dishwashers less useful, more breakable, and more expensive to repair. The Federal Government should not impose or enforce regulations that make taxpayers’ lives worse.”

To that end, Trump called on the Secretary of Energy to utilize all lawful means to rescind or revise a slate of regulations across multiple sections of the federal code, including:

• 10 C.F.R. 430.32(f) (dishwashers),
• 10 C.F.R. 430.32(o) (faucets),
• 10 C.F.R. 430.32(p) (showerheads),
• 10 C.F.R. 430.32(q) (toilets),
• 10 C.F.R. 430.32(r) (urinals),
• Plus, standards for washing machines in 10 C.F.R. 430.32(g) and 10 C.F.R. 431.156, and a list of appliance definitions in 10 C.F.R. 430.2.

“I further direct the Secretary of Energy not to enforce any of the regulatory provisions listed in this memorandum…”

Despite this major rollback, Trump allies warn that all progress could be quickly undone by a future Democratic administration. The Left continues to champion sweeping "green" energy agendas—often backed by trillions in taxpayer dollars—with little to show for environmental impact.

Critics argue that these policies primarily enrich political insiders, activist organizations, and the D.C. consultant class—while average Americans are left paying the price.

As President Trump moves to restore sanity to federal policy, his administration is once again putting working families, affordability, and freedom ahead of elite-driven ideology. The battle over energy policy is far from over—but for now, the American consumer has a powerful ally in the White House.