Trump administration to overhaul appliance efficiency standards

By Valerie Volcovici

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration on Friday said it will delay implementing energy and water efficiency mandates for common appliances including central air conditioners, washing machines and toilets, saying the move would give consumers more choice.

The Department of Energy said it will postpone seven home appliance efficiency mandates set under former President Joe Biden. The Environmental Protection Agency said it would overhaul its "water sense" efficiency standard labels for shower heads and toilets.

The heads of both agencies said the moves would reduce prices for consumers.

“Today's announcement will foster consumer choice and lower prices – it is a win for all Americans," said Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said he has instructed the agency's "WaterSense" program to overhaul certification specifications for products like showerheads that they be 20% more water efficient than regular products and that certified homes be 30% more water efficient.

Zeldin said the Biden-Harris administration "weaponized" energy efficiency rules to restrict consumer choice and that bathroom and kitchen faucets, residential toilets, and sprinkler nozzles that met the WaterSense requirements "just don't work well."

Trump on Tuesday moved to revert to older standards for light bulbs as well as toilets, showers and other water-using appliances, a day after signing an order promoting plastic straws and rescinding a plan to reduce single-use plastics.

(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; additional reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones and Ismail Shakil; Editing by David Gregorio)