H.R. 4626 — Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act

This section revises definitions under EPCA §321 (42 U.S.C. 6291) to apply to energy or water, as applicable, for consumer products (i.e., appliances and equipment that consume energy or water), energy conservation standards, and estimated annual operating costs (previously limited to specific water-using products such as showerheads, faucets, water closets, and urinals). This section further revises EPCA §325 (42 U.S.C. 6295) procedures and criteria for prescribing, amending, or revoking energy conservation standards for covered products: (a) Revises subsection (m) to authorize DOE to propose new or amended standards based on specified criteria and procedures; require a final rule within two years of the proposed rule notice (previously no such deadline specified); and apply amendments to products manufactured five years after final rule publication. (b) Expands subsection (n) to cover petitions for standards amendment or revocation, granting petitions with evidence that standards increase consumer costs, lack significant energy or water conservation, are not technologically feasible, and limit commercial availability; requires a revocation decision within 180 days of granting such a petition; deems revoked standards in effect for enforcement; and standardizes post-petition rulemaking timelines to five years (from three years for most products or five years for certain others). (c) Revises subsection (o) to cover maximum improvements in energy or water efficiency; prohibit standards lacking significant energy or water conservation or that are not technologically feasible and economically justified; and require public disclosure of DOE meetings with specified entities (i.e., those with China ties, advocating energy restrictions, or receiving federal funds).

This section prohibits the Secretary of Energy from prescribing any new or amended energy conservation standards for distribution transformers (i.e., electrical devices that step down voltage for distribution to end users) under EPCA part B or part C beginning on the date of enactment, including for those distribution transformers for which testing requirements were prescribed under subsection (a)(1) and low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers. (Existing standards prescribed prior to enactment remain in effect.)

This section authorizes the Secretary of Energy to prescribe new or amended energy conservation standards for clothes washers and dishwashers—including design requirements and performance standards specifying (1) a minimum level of energy efficiency, (2) a maximum quantity of energy use, (3) a minimum level of water efficiency, (4) a maximum quantity of water use, (5) a minimum level of energy efficiency and a minimum level of water efficiency, or (6) a maximum quantity of energy use and a maximum quantity of water use.