Energy Department proposes showerhead standards rollback after Trump complains

[left-of-center2012]

Source: The Hill

The Trump administration is moving to loosen environmental standards for showerheads following a string of public complaints from the president about low-flow fixtures designed to save water. A new proposal from the Department of Energy (DOE) would change the definition of a showerhead, essentially allowing different components within the device to count as individual fixtures, sidestepping requirements that allow no more than 2.5 gallons to flow through per minute.

President Trump has revealed his fixation on fixtures by repeatedly bringing up his distaste for showerheads, toilets, and even energy-efficient lightbulbs and dishwashers. “Showerheads — you take a shower, the water doesn’t come out. You want to wash your hands, the water doesn’t come out. So what do you do? You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair — I don’t know about you, but it has to be perfect. Perfect,” he said.

Communities in water-scarce areas, particularly in the West, rely on low-flow fixtures to preserve their water supplies. Residents of other parts of the country benefit financially from the standards through lower water bills and reduced costs tied to water heaters. The DOE's new proposal could violate “anti-backsliding” provisions put in place in the 1992 law when Congress established the 2.5 gallon standard. DeLaski said he suspects the DOE will be challenged on the rule if it is finalized, with environmental groups working to demonstrate the climate change impacts of the decision.

Beyond wasting water, he said, “the plan would raise greenhouse gas emissions when more fuel is burned in homes with gas water heaters and at the power plants that supply power to homes with electric water heaters.”



Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/511736-energy-department-showerheads-rollback-trump-complaints

[bucolic_frolic]

1. NOW TRUMP'S IN MY BATHROOM????

Holy Sh*T. It gets worse and worse. What a pervert!

[CTyankee]

20. Wasn't this a Seinfeld episode?

Mostly, I remember it had to do with low flow toilets, IIRC...

[truthisfreedom]

2. All 45 knows how to do is waste tax dollars.

He just lights our children’s future on fire.

[left-of-center2012]

3. It's Trump rollback of Obama's work n/t

[BumRushDaShow]

14. But in this case, it wasn't Obama's work. It was done under Poppy Bush!

When I saw the story I was like, that "low flow" shower mandate has been around a long time.... And the OP article mentions the law was put in place in 1992 (an election year, so before Clinton).

It's just like the push to reverse the standards related to incandescent light bulbs. That was done under Shrub.

[riversedge]

4. This is so wrong! so wrong. Trump whines and the Energy Dept bows to his whines.

[FoxNewsSucks]

5. It's not like they have anything more urgent to do

[riversedge]

6. Communities in water-scarce areas, particularly in the West, rely on low-flow fixtures to preserve t

Communities in water-scarce areas, particularly in the West, rely on low-flow fixtures to preserve their water supplies. Residents of other parts of the country benefit financially from the standards through lower water bills and reduced costs tied to water heaters. The DOE's new proposal could violate “anti-backsliding” provisions put in place in the 1992 law when Congress established the 2.5 gallon standard. DeLaski said he suspects the DOE will be challenged on the rule if it is finalized, with environmental groups working to demonstrate the climate change impacts of the decision.

[poli-junkie]

7. This is all about privatizing fresh water rights.

The rich are purchasing up access to fresh water. The quicker we use up water the better for these rich bastards! I knew Trump was up to no good when he was yammering on about having a good flush. He always projects what he's got coming down the pike. So transparent.

[Dem2theMax]

8. He wants more water?

Can someone take him out to the Bermuda Triangle for a nice long swim? Please.

[Bayard]

9. This is the biggest thing on his plate?

Maybe his staff just gave him this issue to keep him busy.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

12. A pattern. When his casinos were going bust, tRump would spend a day choosing curtains for them. nt

[BigmanPigman]

10. He certainly focuses on the important issues.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. He washes his own hair? I thought it was plastic. . . . nt

[lonely bird]

13. Trump complains?

And people jump? What a bunch of whiny punks led by the snowflake-in-chief.

[CaptainTruth]

15. Does Trump need more water to rinse the pee off?

[El Supremo]

18. He wants a strong golden shower.

[Roy Rolling]

16. Seriously?

Is he that dumb? He thinks the federal government is in charge of all water flow in the shower? When I remove that thing in my shower head that impedes the water flow does that make me a criminal? Or rather, if someone allegedly removes that restriction. The DHS could be looking for work...

[El Supremo]

17. If he really want's to do something worthwhile...

then get rid of my fucking telemarketing/robo calls! They are far more annoying than low water flow. I don't even answer the phone anymore unless the number is in my caller ID directory. But I still have to get up and look at the incoming call.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

19. Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Showerheads

Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Showerheads

A Proposed Rule by the Energy Department on 08/13/2020

{snip}

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) proposes to amend the existing test procedure for showerheads to revise the definition of a showerhead consistent with the most recent standard developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (“ASME”) in 2018. DOE's current definition considers all of the individual showerheads (which DOE has termed variously as sprays, openings, or nozzles) in a product containing multiple showerheads together for purposes of compliance with the water conservation standard established in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (“EPCA”). DOE proposes instead to define showerhead as that term is defined in the 2018 ASME standard, such that each showerhead in a product containing multiple showerheads would be considered separately for purposes of determining standards compliance, and only one of them would need to be turned on for testing. DOE has determined that the proposed definition is consistent with EPCA and, unlike the current definition, compliant with Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) Circular A-119. In addition, the proposed definition is consistent with DOE's treatment of other products, such as body sprays. DOE also proposes to define the terms “body spray” and “safety shower showerhead” to clarify which products are not subject to the current energy conservation standard. DOE invites comment on all aspects of this proposal, and announces a public webinar to collect comments and data on its proposal.

{snip}

2020-08-13 Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Showerheads; Notice of proposed rulemaking and announcement of public meeting

Posted by the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office on Aug 13, 2020

We already have our first comment:

https://beta.regulations.gov/document/EERE-2020-BT-TP-0002-0002

From: eb1mom
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2020 4:21 AM
To: Showerheads2020TP0002 <[e-mail]>
Subject: EERE–2020–BT–TP–0002,
I live in a dry state where we ration our water and conserve this precious natural resource. There
is nothing wrong with the flow of water from our faucets and showerheads. Our toilets flush
properly, our washers wash clothes well, our dishwashers clean our dishes.
What are we doing wasting our time considering revising regulations because the idiot in the
Whitehouse is whining?
Do not change the regulations.