Missed deadlines, energy- and water-wasting gimmicks, and enforcement
ASAP Newsletter Issue 25 - August 31, 2020
New Deadline Suit Seeks to Get DOE on Track
Lawsuits from ASAP's allies and state lawyers will try to compel the Energy Department to update its appliance standards.
In this issue
Trump's showerhead definition rule could threaten water and energy conservation
New rule could allow washers and dryers to waste a lot of energy
DOE's standards enforcement program stays active.
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Trump’s showerhead plan is here, but many models already deliver a dense soak
DOE proposed a rule to approve new showerheads that waste enormous amounts of water and energy, which would increase utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
New U.S. Rule Would Allow Unlimited Energy Waste from Washers and Dryers
The Department of Energy this month announced a proposal that would allow new clothes washers and dryers that waste unlimited amounts of energy and water, raising home utility bills and carbon emissions.
Eleven Enforcement Actions from DOE this Year
This spring and summer, DOE ordered several civil penalties for companies that sold products that did not meet federal standards.
Federal and State updates
At the federal level, we've responded to DOE actions on water heaters, motors, refrigerators, clothes washers, and more this year.
Despite the strong odds against passage, several states managed to keep appliance efficiency standards moving forward.
In other news
On June 9, ASAP and CLASP participated in a webinar on how water efficiency can reduce CO2 emissions. You can check it out here.
In April, Environment America ran a series of comics about Buffy the Energy Vampire Slayer's adventures in cutting energy waste. Check it out on their Medium page.
In July, California adopted an amendment to its energy code that it's proponents hopes will incentivize grid-connected water heaters. Read NRDC's explanation of JA-13 here.
In its Summer 2020 newsletter, Watersense notes that a homeowner with an average-sized lawn can save up to $60 per year in water and sewer costs by replacing inefficient spray sprinkler bodies with Watersense-labeled ones.
Cool Products, a European coalition of efficiency-focused NGOs, is taking on preparatory work to recommend regulations on computers and mobile phones. Read more about their work here.
