|
September 15, 2023 - It started out with gas stoves. An appliance that millions of homes have used safely and counted on for well over a century is now being deemed unsafe and non-energy efficient by the Biden administration. What quickly followed were state and local restrictions on gas water heaters, installing gas lines in new construction, and more recently, restrictions on gas furnaces and HVAC systems. There is also a relatively new proposed rule to ban most gas generators. But all of that insanity apparently hasn't been enough. Now the administration is coming after ceiling fans. They're claiming that the rules will save money for consumers. But you won't believe what that savings is!
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The rule, proposed by the Department of Energy (DOE), claims that it will save consumers a whopping $3.84 cents per year. That's over an estimated ten-year lifespan for your shinny new fan. Obviously, if it doesn't last that long, your savings will be reduced. Put another way, the saving amount to 32 cents per month at best. What will we do with all of that extra money in our pockets? And how many millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent to come up with such an asinine proposal?
By the DOE's own estimates, manufacturers of ceiling fans will have to shell out close to $90 million per year in additional money to meet the new standards. And according to the House Commerce Committee, the rule will drive anywhere from 10% to 30% of small fan manufacturers out of business. Beyond that, it will drive up the cost of fans by an unknown amount. Manufacturers aren't likely to try to recoup their additional costs over a ten-year period. They'll want to bring in that money a lot faster than that. And those that suvive will be able to do that. With less competition, consumer prices always go up.
Of course, I suppose we should look on the bright side. This rule is more cost efficient for consumers than the one for gas stoves. That rule claims that it will save consumers 9 cents per month. Never mind the fact that more than half of the gas stoves currently on the market don't comply with the proposed rule, including virtually all lower end models - meaning that if you want to continue to cook with gas, it's going to cost you!
As C.S. Lewis once wrote, "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth." Enter the federal government!
Note: When posting a comment, please sign-in first if you want a response. If you are not registered, click here. Registration is easy and free.
|
Politics & Politicians 
