Five things the Biden administration has attempted to restrict

President Joe Biden’s administration has attempted to restrict popular consumer products through regulations and other means while in office.

The Biden administration cited environmental effects as the reason for many of the restrictions being pushed through the Department of Energy and other federal agencies, with the Interior Department’s proposal to phase out plastic straws being the latest to face scrutiny. Here is a look at five things the Biden administration is looking to phase out.

NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER: SIX THINGS TO WATCH ON ELECTION DAY

Gas stoves

One of the most hot-button topics of the year stemming from the Department of Energy has been a push to restrict the use of gas-powered stoves through new efficiency rules. The proposed rule would make at least half of stove models in the United States ineligible for repurchase if they were in stores today.

The Department of Energy estimated the rule would save consumers 9 cents per month after originally promising higher savings for consumers when the rule was proposed earlier this year. The backlash to the rule caused the House of Representatives to pass the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, which would prevent the Consumer Product Safety Commission from using federal funds to enforce the rule on gas stoves. The bill has not been taken up by the Senate.

Incandescent lightbulbs

One efficiency standard the Biden administration was successful in implementing was a lightbulb rule that outlaws nearly all incandescent bulbs from being sold. The standard went into effect in August.

The rule, which was announced in April 2022, requires all bulbs sold by retailers to produce a minimum of 45 lumens, the measure of light and brightness, per watt. The standard did allow for exceptions for some household appliances, such as microwaves, but has limited consumers to other lightbulbs, such as LEDs. LED lightbulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs but last 15 to 20 times longer.

Plastic straws

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced in June that a plan would be implemented to phase out single-use plastics on public lands by 2032, citing environmental impacts.

In response to the proposed action, the House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill that would prevent the Interior Department from going forward with the effort. Rep. John Rose (R-TN), who introduced the amendment to deny the measure, argued the alternatives to plastics may not be more environmentally friendly.

“We have to ask: Why is the Department of Interior rushing to ban plastic straws in National Parks when it is far from clear whether or not there is any environmental benefit to switching to paper straws?” Rose said on the House floor while discussing his amendment. “Additionally, paper straws are absolutely despised by many Americans because they start to become soggy almost immediately when put into a drink.”

Gas-powered cars

The Biden administration has been a strong advocate of electric cars and phasing out gas-powered vehicles, with the Department of Transportation’s proposed fuel efficiency rules being a recent example of this push.

The proposed rule would raise standards for fuel efficiency to 66 miles per gallon for cars and 54 mpg for trucks by 2032, something National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acting Administrator Ann Carlson has said is “good news for everyone.”

“The new standards we’re proposing today would advance our energy security, reduce harmful emissions, and save families and business owners money at the pump,” Carlson said. “That’s good news for everyone.”

Several conservative groups launched efforts to organize against the rule, arguing it would cause car prices to rise more than consumers would like.

Washing machines

A proposed efficiency standard by the Department of Energy for washing machines, which could go into effect as early as 2027, has also been criticized as restricting more effective washing machines from being sold.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Energy Department said the standards would save consumers $3.5 billion annually on energy and water bills, but opponents of the rule argue it would drive up costs for washers while also being detrimental to their effectiveness.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers told the Energy Department that the washing machine regulations “would have a disproportionate, negative impact on low-income households,” among other concerns.