Congressman Pat Harrigan Votes to Stop Expensive and Unsafe Refrigeration Rule

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted in support of H.J. Res. 75, a resolution to block a new Department of Energy rule finalized under the Biden Administration that would raise costs on commercial refrigeration units and pose serious food safety concerns for small businesses across the country.

“This rule is the product of an agency completely divorced from reality,” said Congressman Harrigan. “The federal government cannot mandate technology that doesn’t exist, saddle small businesses with billions in costs, and expect no consequences. This isn’t just bad policy, it’s dangerous. It puts public health at risk and drives up costs for everyone.”

The rule, finalized on January 21, 2025, mandates steep energy reductions for commercial refrigerators and freezers, driving up manufacturing costs and forcing complete equipment redesigns. The Department of Energy admits some products wouldn’t see a return on investment for more than 90 years. In many cases, appliances built to these standards could fail to maintain safe food-storage temperatures during normal business operations.

Congressman Harrigan is calling on the Senate to reject this rule and protect American businesses and consumers from yet another reckless regulatory overreach.