H.J. Res. 24 uses the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the Department of Energy’s rule under the Energy Conservation Program for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers.
The rule, published December 23, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 104616), would have established federal energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration.
If enacted, the rule shall have no force or effect, restoring the status quo prior to the rule’s publication. The bill is a single-issue, disapproval measure introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep.
Stephanie Bice and is specific to this rule, not a broader regulatory reform. Why it matters: it alters the federal approach to energy efficiency in commercial refrigeration and has direct implications for costs to retailers and equipment manufacturers, as well as for energy use and emissions in the sector.
At a Glance
What It Does
Disapproves the DOE rule under the Energy Conservation Program for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers and stipulates that the rule shall have no force or effect.
Who It Affects
Applies to manufacturers of walk-in refrigeration equipment, commercial retailers (grocers, food service operators), and building operators who would otherwise be subject to the standard.
Why It Matters
Sets a clear congressional signal on this rule and preserves the status quo, with downstream implications for energy use, capital spending, and climate policy in the commercial refrigeration sector.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The bill is a focused disapproval of a particular federal rule. It targets the Department of Energy’s standard-setting effort for walk-in coolers and freezers, a rule that had proposed energy efficiency requirements for commercial refrigeration equipment.
By disapproving the rule under the Congressional Review Act, Congress would prevent that standard from taking effect. This action does not create new standards of its own; it simply nullifies the proposed standards once adopted by the DOE, leaving existing practices in place.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill uses the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the DOE rule on walk-in cooler/freezer standards.
It targets the rule published in 89 Fed. Reg. 104616 on December 23, 2024.
If enacted, the rule has no force or effect.
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) in the 119th Congress.
It is a single-rule disapproval, not a broader reform of energy policy.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Every bill we cover gets an analysis of its key sections.
Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act
Section 1 states that Congress disapproves the DOE rule related to Energy Conservation Program: Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers. The effect is that the rule shall have no force or effect, effectively nullifying it and preventing its implementation.
Rule identification
Section 2 identifies the specific rule by citation to the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 104616, December 23, 2024) and clarifies that the disapproval applies solely to that rule and not to other DOE regulatory actions.
Enforcement and compliance
Section 3 clarifies that, upon enactment, the DOE cannot enforce the challenged standards and that regulatory action to implement these standards is halted. The text preserves the status quo and avoids retroactive implementation.
Transmission and effectiveness
Section 4 describes standard congressional procedures for joint resolutions, including transmission to the President for signature. If signed, the disapproval becomes law and the rule has no legal effect.
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Explore Energy in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Independent grocers and small restaurant chains that operate walk-in coolers/freezers and would face higher costs to meet new standards.
- Manufacturers of walk-in refrigeration equipment who would incur fewer design and compliance costs under this disapproval.
- Retail trade associations and suppliers representing supermarkets and food-service providers, which would face less regulatory burden and potential procurement adjustments.
Who Bears the Cost
- Energy consumers and building occupants who may face higher operating costs or less energy savings due to the lack of stricter standards.
- Utilities and ratepayers that could see higher energy demand and bill implications from weaker efficiency standards.
- States and localities that had used federal standards to inform energy or building codes and planning goals, potentially needing to revise policies.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central dilemma is balancing congressional oversight and the pursuit of energy efficiency with the practical costs and market impacts of new standards: does disapproval protect incumbents and consumers from upfront costs, or does it forgo long-run energy savings and emissions reductions?
The bill pivots on a straightforward disapproval—Congress uses CRA authority to block a single proposed federal standard. The core policy tension is whether Congress should bar agency rulemaking that would increase energy efficiency (and potentially reduce energy use and emissions) in commercial refrigeration, in favor of preserving existing practices.
If the rule is nullified, the anticipated energy savings from the standard would be foregone, and market dynamics around equipment procurement and retrofit cycles could shift. Implementers must watch for any signaling effects: could agencies pursue a similar standard later, perhaps under different assumptions or timelines?
The disapproval also raises questions about consistency with state energy programs and any collateral effects on federal climate policy.
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