Congress just overturned a Biden-era rule banning certain gas water heaters by 2029. Lawmakers say it would have cost families more and hurt American jobs.
Key Facts:
- Senate voted 52-42 to repeal the Biden-era gas water heater ban.
- All Republican Senators voted for repeal; two Democrats—Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock—joined them.
- Sen. Ted Cruz led the repeal, warning of $450 in extra costs per unit.
- Rinnai America said the rule threatened jobs at its Georgia water heater plant.
- This marks the fourth Biden energy rule reversed by Congress under President Trump.
The Rest of the Story: Regulation on Water Heater Overturned
The Senate voted Thursday to strike down a Department of Energy regulation that would have banned certain gas-powered water heaters starting in 2029.
The resolution now heads to President Trump, who is expected to sign it.
Republicans argue the ban would raise costs for consumers and eliminate energy options.
Sen. Ted Cruz, who introduced the repeal, claimed it would have forced Americans to spend $450 more on alternative models.
The move follows earlier Republican-led efforts to roll back Biden-era energy efficiency rules on appliances, offshore drilling, and methane emissions.
The regulation also faced opposition from businesses.
Rinnai America, a major manufacturer of tankless water heaters, warned the rule could jeopardize hundreds of jobs at its $70 million facility in Georgia.
The American Gas Association also applauded the repeal, saying it protects affordable and clean natural gas use.
The Senate just passed my CRA to reverse a Biden-era rule that increased costs on Americans.
Their rule would have forced Americans to either pay hundreds of dollars more for efficient water heaters or purchase less efficient models. @RuthlessPodcast heard it first:… pic.twitter.com/RinNYudW7u
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) April 10, 2025
Commentary: Why Rolling Back This Regulation Matters
This is a win for American consumers and common sense.
The Biden administration’s attempt to regulate away gas appliances in the name of climate policy was both rushed and reckless.
These kinds of top-down mandates rarely consider the real-world impact on working families.
Forcing consumers to buy more expensive water heaters, without solid proof of meaningful environmental gains, is irresponsible.
It’s another example of Washington bureaucrats ignoring the cost burden placed on average households.
Sen. Cruz’s estimate of a $450 price hike is no small matter — especially as Americans already face rising costs across the board.
What’s more, these rules often hurt American workers.
Rinnai’s factory in Georgia isn’t just another plant—it’s a major employer and part of our domestic manufacturing backbone.
Regulations that risk hundreds of jobs should be scrutinized, not rubber-stamped in the final weeks of an outgoing administration.
The broader concern here is the method of governance.
Biden’s team pushed these regulations through at the end of his term, hoping they’d stick no matter who won the election.
That’s not how democratic policy should be made.
Congress overturning them through legislation—not just another executive order—is the right approach.
It brings stability and reflects the will of voters.
This repeal sends a clear message: Energy policy should be practical, not ideological.
Americans deserve affordable options, not government-forced upgrades that shrink consumer choice.
The Bottom Line: Congress Repeals Gas Water Heating Ban
The Biden-era gas water heater ban is officially on its way out.
Congress voted to overturn the rule, citing concerns over higher consumer costs, lost jobs, and reduced appliance choice.
Instead of letting unelected regulators push last-minute mandates, lawmakers are now restoring balance through proper legislation.
The repeal marks a broader shift toward pro-energy, pro-consumer policy.
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