Chairman Latta Delivers Opening Statement at Energy Hearing on Appliance and Building Policies

Well, good morning. I'd like to call the subcommittee on energy to order, and the chair recognizes himself for five minutes for an opening statement. Welcome to today's legislative hearing, Appliance and Buildings Policies, Restoring the American Dream of Home Ownership and Consumer Choice. Today we will hear from the Department of Energy and industry stakeholders as we consider eight bills seeking to address consumer choice, appliance and home affordability, reckless federal building policies, and duplicative regulatory structures. Many policies pushed over the last several years have raised prices for all consumers, strained our nation's grid, and yield little to no benefit for Americans. That is why the subcommittee will discuss legislation that would have a massive impact on the day-to-day necessities on which American families and businesses rely. During last week's hearing, Jim Steffes of the Washington Gas said it well when discussing gas bans. The idea that we're going to push the gas back down the power line and use it in a less efficient manner than you would use it at your home is absolutely going to raise prices. Importantly, one of the bills we have on the docket, the Bipartisan Energy Choice Act, will prohibit state or local governments from adopting policies that ban access to an energy service that's based on the fuel that is sold. This includes building performance standards and codes that act as de facto gas bans. The Homeowner Energy Freedom Act will repeal the funding included in the IRA, which bribed states to adopt the 2021 IECC model code. Today, we'll hear firsthand testimony of the chilling effect that has had on home building in those states. Duplicative standards for manufactured housings have also decreased the production of affordable new housing. As home ownership continues to be a top concern for millions of Americans, we must remove regulatory red tape that has restricted options for families. The antifossil fuel agenda does not stop at the state or local laws. Federal policies like the required phase out of fossil fuel in federal building could jeopardize our national security. The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act will repeal this inappropriate policy and the bipartisan Mechanical Installation Act will refocus evaluations for federal buildings on the potential for implementing true energy efficiency measures, like the installation of mechanical insulation. The legislation before us today is focused on restoring consumer choice, especially for American working families. Misguided and redundant policies from the previous administration hit them the hardest because they, number one, price out first time homeowners, two, destroy appliance affordability through steep upfront and installation costs, or three, discourage the production of affordable manufactured homes through regulatory morass. The Don't Mess With My Home Appliances Act will make much needed statutory reforms to energy efficiency and standards for appliances, which have increased costs while deteriorating in performance because of overregulation. Lastly, the Shower Act will codify a common definition of a showerhead, improving water pressure for those who desire that choice. We've also included, at our Democratic colleagues' request, legislation by the General from New York's 20th District on DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program. If I have concerns with the bill, as introduced, we are willing to work with our friends on the Democratic side to reach a compromise. Altogether, the majority of the bills before us today represent an opportunity for this community to refocus energy efficiency policies on true energy savings, whether reflected in the cost of an appliance or the utility bills for hardworking American families. I want to thank our witnesses for appearing before us today. The chair now recognizes the gentlelady from Florida's 14th District, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee for five minutes.