As the Biden administration ramps up environmental regulations, a recently proposed rule threatens to disrupt the portable gas generator industry, potentially causing widespread shortages.
This follows on the heels of a similarly targeted move against gas stoves proposed by a Biden administration.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, guided by a Biden appointee, has issued a rule that restricts the amount of carbon monoxide a product can emit.
The commission acknowledged that 95% of the portable gas generators currently on the market would not meet this new standard.
“This could lead to generator shortages since manufacturers are given just six months to design generators that comply, a process that usually takes years,” says Susan Orenga, executive director of the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association, in an interview with the Washington Free Beacon.
The timing of this proposal is particularly concerning, as it occurs when America faces a heightened risk of power blackouts due to a greater reliance on unreliable green energy.
According to a report released in May, about two-thirds of North America faces an “elevated risk” of power blackouts this summer, attributable to the nation’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
As a consequence, states like California experienced power outages during the summer of 2022 as electricity demand spiked.
Portable gas generators, used by nearly five million households, have served as a vital resource during power outages.
However, with the finalization of the Biden administration’s rule, obtaining these generators could become increasingly difficult.
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The new rule forbids manufacturers from stockpiling non-compliant generators before the rule goes into effect.
The Department of Energy, under President Biden’s administration, has also initiated various environmental regulations in an effort to mitigate climate change.
One proposed rule that’s drawing concern would effectively ban half of all gas stove models currently available in the U.S. market. Other energy efficiency rules proposed or finalized by the department target common household items like washing machines, refrigerators, and lightbulbs.
While manufacturers have taken voluntary steps to limit carbon monoxide emissions from portable generators, the Biden administration seeks to enforce more stringent caps, mirroring those from Underwriters Laboratories, a global product safety company.
This move comes in spite of the fact that the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association says around 75% of the market adheres to its standards, contradicting the commission’s estimation of only 30% compliance.
The commission’s proposed rule would be met largely by products from a single manufacturer, Techtronic Industries. Yet, the majority of these models do not feature on best-seller and top-rated lists from Electric Generators Direct, Popular Mechanics, or Forbes, and few are robust enough to power a home during an outage. Additionally, these models carry a higher price tag compared to competitors.
The commission argues that their rules will prevent deaths caused by carbon monoxide from portable generators.
However, Patty Davis, the commission’s press secretary, could only cite one fatal incident involving a model that adhered to the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association standard, a 2021 tragedy that killed three in Louisiana.
This unfortunate event is largely believed to have resulted from user error, as the generator was placed next to the house, with the exhaust port directly in front of the door – a setup that contradicts guidelines.
The public had until June 20 to comment on the proposed generator rule. The commission is currently preparing the final version, expected to take effect 180 days following approval.
As these measures loom, concerns over their potential impact on households and the portable generator industry remain.
