Senator Tommy Tuberville on Wednesday hailed the passage of a disapproval resolution filed under the Congressional Review Act. The resolution, which passed the upper chamber by a vote of 50-45, challenged a recently implemented rule from the Biden Administration and the US Department of Energy that some believe could impose a major financial burden on those trying to affordably heat their homes.
The controversial change specifically bans all non-condensing furnace models and only permits manufacturers to sell furnaces that convert at least 95 percent of fuel into heat, up from the previous limit of 80 percent.
The finalized rule officially took effect on February 16.
“The gas furnaces rule is just one of the Biden administration’s many attacks on our domestic energy industry,” said Tuberville. “President Biden should be looking for ways to bring costs down—not driving them up. Americans are already struggling to make ends meet in this economy. They do not want to be stuck with the bill for this administration’s woke climate agenda.”
“I’m glad we overturned this rule and hope that President Biden will sign it into law as soon as possible.”
According to Tuberville, the rule would force a majority of Americans to adopt more costly electric heat pumps or possibly pay thousands to renovate their homes to meet the requirements of new residential gas furnace. On average it could cost roughly $2,200 to install the appropriate venting and $4,500 to replace a furnace.
The disapproval resolution was first introduced in February by both Tuberville and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.
To strengthen and protect America’s energy production, Tuberville has also introduced two other pieces of legislation. The first is the American Energy Independence Act of 2022 which would “reverse Biden’s shutdown of the American energy sector and return American energy to full production.” In 2022, Tuberville additionally introduced the Thorium Energy Security Act to prevent the destruction of Uranium 233 (U-233), a critical element used to produce clean energy.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
