DOE says it will move to end prior-era appliance mandates, Secretary argues for consumer choice

Energy Secretary Christopher Wright said on July 2 that the Department of Energy has issued a notice aimed at rolling back what he described as prior-era appliance mandates and updating the process rule used for energy conservation standards. "Buy the appliances you want," Wright said in the interview, adding that the change is meant to "preserve consumer choices and lower cost."

Wright framed the action as restoring consumer flexibility after regulatory changes he said had raised costs for some manufacturers and households. He pointed to a hot-water-heater factory he said faced closure under earlier standards as an example of the policy's impact. "Instead of gradually rolling back these regulations, we just found the legal way to let Americans be treated as adults," he said.

The host, Maria Bartiromo, described the notice as an effort to "permanently end Green New Deal–era appliance mandates" and asked what people should expect; Wright said the administration will work to preserve cheaper, familiar appliance options for consumers. He did not provide a timetable for rule changes or explain specific regulatory language in the notice during the interview.

The public notice referenced in the interview was described generally on air; details such as the precise regulatory amendments, the effective dates, and the administrative next steps were not specified in the conversation. Wright also linked the regulatory approach to broader administration priorities to reduce costs and ease regulatory requirements.