Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti led a coalition of 17 state attorneys general in a comment letter opposing the Department of Energy’s direct final rule regulating consumer refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.
The DOE’s rule, scheduled to be implemented on May 16, imposes new energy conservation standards for these consumer items.
The overreach of the administrative state continues — this time, into Tennesseans' kitchens.
The Dept. of @Energy’s new rule regarding refrigerators & freezers will increase prices for TN families, reduce consumer choice, and ultimately result in more power for the federal… pic.twitter.com/SPIknOvrIV
— TN Attorney General (@AGTennessee) May 7, 2024
Skrmetti and the coalition argue that the DOE’s rule “over-regulates American kitchens,” adding that the “most disconcerting” aspect of the rule is its “lack of consideration for the average consumer, who undoubtedly will be most affected by appliance price hikes due to the new regulations.”
The coalition also noted the DOE’s implementation process, noting that the department has refused to reverse course despite receiving dozens of formal comment letters with justifiable opposition to the rule.
“Without formal rulemaking, evaluating an agency’s decision making procedures, as well as the weight given to certain comments, studies, and notes, becomes increasingly difficult…Merely issuing a comment does little to guarantee an agency takes account of rules that seriously affect certain pertinent parties…having a transparent process, especially one that provides for formal rulemaking, which includes live hearings, the ability to cross-examine witnesses, and establishing a clear record for decision-making, is paramount in increasing trust in our institutions and agencies,” the coalition of attorneys general said in the letter to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
“DOE has a hard job balancing the interests of so many Americans. No one contests otherwise. But the undersigned States request that DOE seriously reevaluate its direct final rule in light of this comment. DOE’s regulations will cause Americans distaste toward government agencies, leaving many with increased expenses in their kitchens,” the attorneys general said.
Skrmetti, in a separate statement, said the department’s rule “will increase prices for [Tennessee] families, reduce consumer choice, and ultimately result in more power for the federal bureaucracy.”
The attorneys general from Idaho, Missouri, West Virginia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Iowa, Kentucky, Texas, Indiana, Montana, Georgia, Virginia, Ohio, Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida, and Nebraska joined Skrmetti in sending the letter to Granholm.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Jonathan Skrmetti” by Tennessee Attorney General.
