On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced on social media that he is directing the EPA to reinstate his relaxed regulations on energy and water efficiency standards for a variety of home appliances, which were tightened by the previous administration.

Travis Fisher, Director of Energy and Environmental Policy Studies at the Cato Institute, commented on the president’s directive:

I wholeheartedly agree with the President that the federal government has no business regulating lightbulbs or showerheads. Unfortunately, many of these efficiency standards for appliances are firmly established in statutes passed two decades ago. While I find it ridiculous that Congress ever sought to regulate the flow of my showerhead, only Congress has the power to repeal this mistake—not the President.

Trump’s latest actions continue a pattern of presidents using executive powers to enact policy changes, which, according to Fisher, “fuels a political pendulum effect, with each administration invoking emergency powers to advance ideologically opposed agendas.”

While Congress needs to pursue serious energy reforms, Fisher has argued the focus should be on major legislative measures, such as repealing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

For media inquiries or to speak with Travis Fisher, please contact mmiller@​cato.​org.