DOE Ditches Stricter Washer Water Rules: Laundromats Rejoice?
Published Date: 5/16/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Energy is rolling back the updated water-saving rules for commercial clothes washers, going back to the original standards. This change affects businesses using these washers and means less strict water rules for now. No new costs or deadlines are coming, so companies can keep doing laundry like before.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Rollback of Commercial Washer Standards
If you run a business that uses commercial clothes washers, the Department of Energy is proposing to rescind the amended water conservation standards and return the standards to the statutory baseline. That means the stricter, amended water-saving rules would no longer apply and the prior baseline standards govern compliance.
No New Costs or Deadlines
DOE states there are no new costs or deadlines coming with this proposal, so businesses using commercial clothes washers can continue operations as before. The proposal explicitly says companies can keep doing laundry like before.
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