Trump Poised To Strike Down Biden-Era Walk-In Cooler Rule

Back in March, the House passed H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 75, to rescind Biden-Harris Administration rules, that “were on track to create costly new standards for commercial refrigerators and freezers,” according to Energy and Commerce Chainman Brett Guthrie (R-KY).

In a joint statement with Congressman Bob Latta, the pair said, “The Biden-Harris Administration placed new and harmful regulations on commercial refrigeration units, yet another example of needless regulation raising prices for businesses and families while failing to provide cost savings or increasing food safety. These Congressional Review Act resolutions are a critical part of our work to eliminate costly and burdensome regulations that failed to serve the American people. Thank you to Congressman Goldman and Congresswoman Bice for your leadership on these important issues.”

Congresswoman Stephanie Bice said the passage will be a boon for places like pharmacies, convenience stores, etc., that rely on these large freezer units.

“This regulation, which had an estimated cost of a billion dollars, would have been crippling for businesses throughout the country, especially in rural areas,” Bice said. “We must continue to push back against federal overreach, and I appreciate the support of my colleagues on this critical measure.”

In the final rule in question, posted in December 2024, the DOE amended energy conservation standards for walk-ins and “determined that the amended energy conservation standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy and are technologically feasible and economically justified.”

“The effective date of this rule is February 21, 2025. Compliance with the amended standards established for walk-in non-display doors in this final rule is required on and after December 23, 2027,” the federal register website states. “Compliance with the amended standards established for walk-in refrigeration systems in this final rule is required on and after December 31, 2028.”

More about the bills, according to a press release from energycommerce.house.gov:

“H.J. Res. 24, 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 Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers,” led by Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05), repeals the Biden-Harris Administration’s burdensome efficiency standards on the refrigeration units commonly used in grocery stores, convenience stores, and other businesses. These standards would have significantly harmed smaller stores and retailers, who may be forced to incur expensive electrical or structural upgrades to comply with the amended standard without significant benefits in efficiency.

H.J. Res. 75, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy relating to “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers,” led by Congressman Craig Goldman (TX-12), would repeal refrigeration standards put in place only three years ago that would lead to major new costs for businesses and families across the country, with the Biden-Harris Department of Energy itself estimating that at least one standard would have a payback period of more than 90 years, clearly demonstrating the absurdity of the regulation.”