Brian Willis: 202.675.2386, Brian.Willis@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sierra Club joined Earthjustice, the Consumer Federation of America, and NRDC today in notifying the Trump Administration of their intent to sue the Department of Energy (DOE) for delaying new energy efficiency standards that will protect public health and save customers and businesses money on their electricity bills.
The standards, which apply to ceiling fans, freezers, boilers, and other commercial and consumer goods, are estimated to prevent 292 million tons of greenhouse gases emissions and 1.2 million tons of methane pollution from entering the atmosphere, while also saving customers and businesses nearly $24 billion in reduced electricity use. The standards are a single step away from finalization and the groups plan to file a lawsuit to force the DOE to finish its process by publishing them in the Federal Register.
The standards were developed through a robust public process, with input from industry and policy experts, and were signed by the DOE in late 2016 - but held up by the Trump Administration.
In response to today’s notification, Mary Anne Hitt, Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, released the following statement:
“These common-sense energy efficiency standards will clean up our air and save working families money, and the Trump Administration should stop stonewalling and approve them. By failing to get these efficiency standards over the finish line, the Trump’s is just doing the bidding of polluters, basically giving them a veto on public health protections and lower energy bills for American families.
“Our communities deserve a government that works quickly and efficiently to forward our interests, not one that drags its feet at the urging of polluters. It’s time for DOE to get its act together, follow the law, and finalize these energy efficiency standards. There is no excuse for further delay.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.4 million members and supporters nationwide. In addition to creating opportunities for people of all ages, levels and locations to have meaningful outdoor experiences, the Sierra Club works to safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org.