The House Committee on Energy & Commerce (E&C) is moving aggressively to advance the NEFI-backed Energy Choice Act and other legislation that would significantly strengthen consumer choice at all levels of government. The E&C's Subcommittee on Energy has been holding a series of hearings on the issue, signaling serious Republican intent to bring these measures to a floor vote.

Last week, a hearing titled "Appliance and Building Policies: Restoring the American Dream of Home Ownership and Consumer Choice" featured pointed criticism of federal energy efficiency programs and building codes that Republicans argue have been used as a backdoor way to ban or limit consumer access to the fuels and appliances of their choice. Tomorrow, the Energy Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on eight bills that would fundamentally reshape federal energy policy to protect consumer choice.

A centerpiece of the effort is the Energy Choice Act (H.R. 3699), which NEFI helped draft and has led a national coalition to support. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23), now boasts 84 cosponsors including two moderate Democrats: Reps. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas and Adam Gray of California. During the hearing, Langworthy publicly urged the subcommittee to advance the bill as quickly as possible.

In addition to the Energy Choice Act, the subcommittee plans to discuss several other measures at tomorrow's hearing that NEFI strongly supports:

• Homeowner Energy Freedom Act (H.R. 4758): Would repeal electrification subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), including state-administered residential electrification rebates and related contractor training grants, and the $1 billion grant program incentivizing states to adopt the more restrictive 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. According to the National Association of Home Builders, compliance with the 2021 energy code can add up to $31,000 to new home costs, with payback periods extending up to 90 years.

• Don't Mess with My Home Appliances Act (H.R. 4626): Would reform the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) to prevent the Department of Energy from using appliance efficiency standards as a backdoor means of driving non-electric appliances and equipment out of the market. The bill would allow the Energy Secretary to amend or revoke existing standards that increase consumer costs or make products unavailable based on fuel type.

• Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act (H.R. 4690): Would prevent the federal government from banning liquid and gas heating fuels in federal buildings by repealing problematic provisions of the Energy Independence and Security Act.

If enacted, these bills would establish broad new protections against policies to ban or limit access to heating fuels, appliances, and equipment at every level of government.

"These bills represent a fundamental shift after years of government efforts to restrict consumer access to the fuels and appliances of their choice," said NEFI President & CEO Jim Collura, who attended last week's hearing. "Republicans are clearly serious about enacting these reforms, and the process is now moving toward markup and, hopefully, potential floor votes."

While Republican control of both chambers of Congress and the White House creates the most favorable environment for this legislation in years, political challenges remain. The narrow Republican House majority requires near-unanimous GOP support, making every vote critical. NEFI and its coalition partners are also working to shore up bipartisan support where possible, focusing on moderate Democrats in both chambers.

Take Action: NEFI members can support these efforts by contacting their members of Congress through our advocacy portal online here.