1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

Recent federal rollbacks of water and appliance efficiency standards, including those for showerheads, raise significant concerns for Pennsylvania households, public resources, and long‑term consumer costs. In 2025, the Department of Energy finalized rules restoring the statutory definition of “showerhead” and easing enforcement of related water conservation standards. This rescinded prior regulations designed to limit water waste and promote efficiency. ("whitehouse.gov" (https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-rescinds-useless-water-pressure-standards/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) While intended to simplify compliance for manufacturers, these rollbacks could increase water and energy consumption, raising utility costs for consumers and straining public water infrastructure. The administration also reduced enforcement requirements for other appliance efficiency standards and eliminated certain scientific advisory input, weakening the role of technical guidance in regulatory decisions. Critics warn that these changes could undermine long-term energy conservation goals and environmental protections. ("apnews.com" (https://apnews.com/article/5e3d70cecff366f32233f84edd68d641?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Congress has a constitutional duty to oversee federal regulatory actions to ensure that public resources, consumer interests, and environmental priorities are protected. Oversight should include: - Reviewing the rationale and projected impacts of weakening water and appliance efficiency standards - Assessing potential increases in energy and water use, and associated costs to Pennsylvania households and businesses - Ensuring that federal agencies base decisions on scientific evidence and public interest rather than convenience or political preference Pennsylvanians deserve confidence that federal standards serve the public good, protect shared resources, and reduce unnecessary costs. Congress must act to uphold these principles and ensure that regulatory decisions do not shift the burden of inefficiency onto taxpayers and consumers.