Senate passes bill easing energy efficiency rules on appliances

The Senate passed a bill Thursday easing federal regulations on the manufacture of coolers, water heaters and other appliances.

Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Al.) introduced the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act, H.R. 6582, which combines several proposals that the House and Senate have approved this year, including language that would allow manufacturers of walk-in coolers to use different standards to meet energy efficiency goals. It also eases rules for water heaters and over-the-counter refrigerators.

The House approved the bill Tuesday on a 398-2 vote. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent Thursday without any debate.

The bill includes parts of a bill from Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), S. 1000, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act. That measure would updates national building codes to be more energy-efficient.

The bill now heads to President Obama’s desk for his signature.

Before leaving for the week, the Senate also passed an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act address the language “exhibitor.” The text of that amendment was not available Thursday.

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