Congress·Enacted·H.J.Res. 20

Gas Water Heaters: Blocking New Energy Efficiency Rules

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 Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters".

11 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: House Advances 2025 Budget Framework and Regulatory Restrictions

✓

Signed Into Law

This legislation has been enacted.

Legislative Progress

✓ House

221–198

✓ Senate

✓ President

✓ Law

Key Points

Congress is moving to cancel a new rule from the Department of Energy that would have required tankless gas water heaters to be more energy-efficient.
By passing this resolution, Congress is ensuring that the new standards published in late 2024 will have no legal power and cannot be enforced.
This decision affects homeowners and builders who use "instant" gas water heaters, as the blocked rule would have likely changed which models are available for sale and how they are manufactured.
This action prevents the government from requiring these specific appliances to meet higher energy-saving benchmarks, which can impact both the initial price of the heater and the amount of gas used over time.

Milestones

8 milestones20 actions

May 9, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-6.

May 9, 2025

Signed by President.

May 9, 2025House

Presented to President.

Apr 10, 2025Senate

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Apr 10, 2025Senate

Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 44. Record Vote Number: 207.

Vote Results

3 votes

HousePassedPassageFeb 27, 2025

On Passage

221

198

Democrat

11 – 198 · 6

Republican

210 – 0 · 8

View full roll call

SenatePassedProceduralApr 9, 2025

On the Motion to Proceed

Democrat

2 – 41 · 2

Republican

50 – 0 · 3

Independent

0 – 1 · 1

View full roll call

SenatePassedApr 10, 2025

On the Joint Resolution

Democrat

2 – 43

Republican

51 – 0 · 2

Independent

0 – 1 · 1

View full roll call

Related Bills

2 bills

S.J.Res. 4Identical bill

A joint resolution 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 Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters".

Feb 12 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 12.

H.Res. 161Related bill

Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 20) 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 Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters"; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 35) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions"; and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

Feb 25 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.