WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, along with Reps. Van Duyne (R-TX), Salazar (R-FL), Ellzey (R-TX), and Bean (R-FL), penned a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm over the DOE’s new proposed rule that would change energy conservation standards for ceiling fans.

This letter builds on the House Committee on Small Business’ work to ensure federal agencies adhere to the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act to protect small businesses from burdensome regulations and rulemaking.

Read the full letter here.

Read excerpts from the letter below:

“The House Committee on Small Business writes to inquire about the recent proposed rule change to the energy conservation standards for ceiling fans. This proposed rule would decrease the maximum estimated energy consumption permissible for large diameter and belt driven ceiling fans. This rule would require numerous small business fan manufacturers to redesign their products and may put between 10 and 30 percent of small business ceiling fan manufacturers out of business. It appears that the Department of Energy (DOE) may not have properly considered small entities during this rulemaking process.

“It is important for agencies to examine small businesses interests—which make up 99.9 percent of all businesses in the United States—when passing any new rule. America’s small businesses deserve to have their voices heard and considered.”

Background:

Signatories include Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX), Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), and Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL).

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