OKC Standard

Today, Congresswoman Stephanie Bice announced the House's bipartisan approval of her legislation, H.J. Resolution 24. This resolution aims to permanently rescind energy regulations on walk-in coolers and freezers that were introduced by the Department of Energy at the end of President Biden's term. According to Congresswoman Bice, these measures increase the costs for small business owners and consumers.

"Today, in a bipartisan fashion, the House acted to overturn more last-minute environmental regulations from the Biden Administration. Walk-in coolers and freezers are essential for pharmacies, convenience stores, food processing facilities, food banks, restaurants, and many other establishments nationwide," Congresswoman Bice said. "This regulation, which had an estimated cost of a billion dollars, would have been crippling for businesses throughout the country, especially in rural areas. We must continue to push back against federal overreach, and I appreciate the support of my colleagues on this critical measure."

Chairwoman Lisa McClain added, “Biden’s regulations limited consumer choice, raised prices, and put unnecessary financial burdens on American businesses and families. House Republicans continue to reverse this regulatory non-sense and lower costs for businesses and families.”

Chairmen Brett Guthrie and Bob Latta echoed concerns over the Biden Administration’s actions. “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,” they stated. “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.”

In her floor remarks, Congresswoman Bice explained the challenges posed by these regulations to small enterprises, emphasizing that businesses, especially in rural regions, face dramatic expenses in meeting the new standards. Bice argued that these burdens could lead to increased consumer prices and operational disruptions.

DOE estimated the rule would come with a hefty price tag, costing nearly a billion dollars with minimal energy usage reduction. While the department projected a $6 billion savings over 30 years, Bice pointed out that the cost of replacement equipment meeting the new standards could add up to billions more. She expressed gratitude for President Trump's intervention to delay the regulations.

Bice concluded her remarks by emphasizing the economic relief offered by H.J. Resolution 24. "By doing so, we will protect small businesses from unnecessary compliance cost and preserve the diversity of choice available to consumers. This action aligns with our broader commitment to rollback burdensome regulations that stifle economic growth and infringe upon individual freedoms," she asserted.

The resolution seeks not only to remove what Bice sees as harmful impositions but also to align with Congress's broader effort to alleviate burdensome regulations, an approach she claims could mitigate an estimated $3 trillion of regulatory costs identified by the National Association of Manufacturers in 2022.