Biden administration blasted for ‘deeply concerning and irresponsible’ move day after Christmas that could force tens of millions of Americans to freeze during winter

The Biden administration quietly dropping a regulatory bomb a day after Christmas that could leave millions out in the cold.

Controversially, the Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized sweeping new climate rules that would drastically increase the prices of gas-fired water heaters.

Industry experts and lawmakers have branded the decision as “reckless,” “tone deaf” and catastrophic for households struggling with inflation and rising energy costs.

Unlike previous announcements of similar scope, the DOE made no public outcry about these sweeping regulations.

The Biden administration issued no press releases or public briefings — just a quiet publication in the Federal Register.

Critics argue that the lack of transparency is indicative of a broader trend by the White House to push the green agenda without public scrutiny.

Trump has vowed to roll back many climate rules issued under Biden in an effort to boost energy production and stimulate economic growth.

Under the new rules, efficiency requirements for tankless water heaters will rise to levels that effectively ban all non-condensing models – a category that currently makes up 40 percent of the market.

The soon-to-be-banned models are preferred by many households, especially in low-income and senior communities, because of their affordability.

An industry analysis predicts that consumers will face an average price increase of $450 when replacing their water heaters.

With energy costs already soaring and winter weather gripping much of the country, the timing couldn’t be worse.

“It’s another example of device regulation that increases costs and limits choices,” Ben Lieberman, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, told the Washington clear beacon. “It bans an entire category of tankless water heaters and the most affordable ones.

‘This is all part of the climate change agenda. One of the things we’re seeing is an antipathy to natural gas versions of appliances, because natural gas is a fossil fuel and they want to electrify everything. When you see bad regulation from the Biden administration, it usually has something to do with climate change.”

The consequences extend beyond household budgets.

Rinnai America, which recently invested $70 million in a state-of-the-art facility in Georgia to manufacture non-condensing gas boilers, could see its efforts rendered obsolete by the new regulations. Hundreds of jobs are now at risk.

“Our point has always been – I think the new administration will understand this – why eliminate a higher efficiency product category? There’s no point. It doesn’t make any sense at all,” said Frank Windsor, president of water heater manufacturer Rinnai America

‘If you really want to influence the water heating decision, you really have to work with the tank models.

“As this administration comes to an end, they have actually rushed to bring this forward. But the fact is they are making a bad choice here,” Windsor said.

The American Gas Association (AGA) has already indicated that it plans to challenge the regulations in court.

The group argues that the DOE’s actions may violate the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which prohibits federal agencies from banning products with clear performance characteristics.

“DOE’s decision to ban an entire segment of instantaneous water heaters is deeply troubling and irresponsible,” said Matthew Agen, chief counsel for AGA. “These regulations not only exceed legal boundaries, but also ignore the reality of what American consumers need and can afford.”

This legal challenge follows similar lawsuits over DOE rules targeting gas-fired residential furnaces. If successful, it could set a precedent that forces the government to reconsider its aggressive climate agenda.

The water heater regulations are the latest in a series of DOE actions aimed at reducing carbon emissions through appliance restrictions.

Earlier in 2023, the government faced strong backlash for proposing limits on gas stoves – a move that sparked widespread public outrage and accusations of government overreach.

The DOE has also targeted refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens and washing machines, often citing climate change as justification.

But critics argue that these policies are being implemented without considering their cumulative impact on everyday Americans.

As winter storms rage across the country, millions of Americans are wondering how regulations could affect their ability to stay warm and keep the water flowing.

For low-income families, the elderly and those living paycheck to paycheck, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The Biden administration emphasizes that the regulations are a necessary step to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but many Americans feel the costs of this green transition are far too high.

President-elect Donald Trump has already pledged to dismantle what he calls the Biden administration’s “extreme climate agenda.”

With Republicans taking control of the White House in just over two weeks, the future of such regulations is uncertain.

But for families preparing for another cold winter, the damage may already be done.

Critics argue that the rush to finalize such sweeping changes in the waning days of the Biden presidency is emblematic of an administration out of touch with its people.