HJRES 24: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers".

HJRES 24 in plain English: This joint resolution cancels a Department of Energy rule issued December 23, 2024, that had set stricter energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and freezers. The rule would have required walk-in non-display doors to meet new energy limits by December 23, 2027, and refrigeration systems by December 31, 2028. By passing this resolution, Congress nullifies those requirements, meaning the new standards will not take effect.

Stated purpose

This resolution uses Congress's authority to cancel a Department of Energy rule that set new, stricter energy efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers, making that rule have no legal force or effect.

Key points

• Cancels the DOE's December 23, 2024 rule setting stricter energy standards for walk-in coolers and freezers.
• Removes the requirement for walk-in non-display doors to meet new energy limits by December 23, 2027.
• Removes the requirement for walk-in refrigeration systems to comply with new standards by December 31, 2028.
• Walk-in non-display doors and refrigeration systems no longer need to meet the DOE's updated maximum daily energy consumption limits.

Arguments supporters make

• The new standards would have forced businesses and manufacturers to buy or build more expensive equipment, raising costs for industries that often operate on thin margins.
• The DOE rule was issued in the final weeks of a departing administration, and Congress has the right to review and reject last-minute regulations that didn't go through a full democratic process.
• Manufacturers and small businesses should have flexibility to adopt energy-saving technology at a pace the market supports, rather than being forced into compliance on a government-set deadline.

Arguments opponents make

• The DOE determined these standards represented the maximum efficiency improvement that was both technologically feasible and economically justified, meaning the savings to businesses over time could outweigh the upfront costs.
• Walk-in coolers and freezers run continuously and consume significant energy, so eliminating stronger efficiency requirements means higher long-term energy use and utility costs for the country.
• Blocking agency rules through congressional disapproval also permanently bars the DOE from issuing a substantially similar rule in the future without new legislation, limiting the government's ability to address energy use in this equipment.

Tradeoffs

Canceling the rule relieves businesses and manufacturers from near-term compliance costs and design changes, but gives up the long-term energy savings and efficiency gains the standards were designed to deliver; the tension is between reducing regulatory burden on industry today versus reducing energy consumption over time.

Current status in Congress: Became law.

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