Shannon Van Hoesen, shannon.vanhoesen@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC - Last night, newly-confirmed Energy Secretary Chris Wright released his first secretarial order falling in line with the directives issued by Donald Trump last month. One part of the order calls for the department to review legally-required appliance energy standards finalized during the Biden administration. The new standards were rigorously researched by energy industry experts and included input from consumer, labor, and environmental groups, as well as appliance manufacturers.
In response, Sierra Club Deputy Legislative Director of Clean Energy and Electrification Xavier Boatright released the following statement:
“The appliance standards finalized last year do all the things the current administration claims it wants to do: they save energy and reduce consumer bills. The only reason to revisit any of these standards would be to cut them off, harming the growing American-produced clean energy appliance market in order to give handouts to big oil and gas companies, like the one Chris Wright made his fortune from. Oil and gas companies don’t care if appliances are wasteful because that means they can sell more of their products to consumers who will end up paying higher bills and living with polluted air and water. We will continue to stand up for consumers who deserve affordable energy and healthy homes, while supporting American innovation, job creation, and global competitiveness.
“The Secretary’s dangerous and costly plans threaten to undermine U.S. leadership in energy technology and manufacturing, putting unnecessary financial burdens on American families who are already feeling the pains of rising costs, instead of fostering solutions that drive economic growth and energy independence.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.