House Unanimously Passes Amendment Restricting DOE Funds for Manufactured Housing Energy Standards
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved an amendment proposed by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., that would bar the use of Department of Energy funds to enforce the department’s energy standards for manufactured housing. The move came as part of House deliberation on the DOE funding bill for 2024.
There was no opposition to the amendment. It went through on a voice vote, one of the few amendments to do so.
The industry’s national advocacy group, the Manufactured Housing Institute, has strongly supported the measure, and expressed gratitude to state association partners for helping garner the overwhelming support from the House.
“While MHI is supportive of improving energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing, the message to Congress is that halting implementation of the DOE’s flawed approach and re-affirming HUD’s long-standing exclusive control over federal manufactured housing standards is the best way to ensure the timely adoption of improved energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing while preserving affordability,” MHI said to members in a prepared message.
In related news, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee recently passed legislation to repeal Section 413 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and nullify the DOE’s final energy standards rule.
The need for legislative intervention arises from the fact that DOE standards were developed without substantial consultation with HUD. Rep. Norman’s measure and the other amendments still need to secure Senate and White House approval.
