Bill would reverse regulation threatening Marshalltown refrigeration manufacturer
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today joined Republican Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) to introduce a bipartisan bill that would remove burdensome government regulations on refrigerated deli-style display cases that threaten the future of their manufacture in the United States.
The Department of Energy has interpreted a 2005 energy efficiency law passed by Congress to include refrigerated deli display cases in the same category as standard refrigerators. However, the Department of Energy acknowledges that the inherent design of display cases makes it impossible for them to reach the minimum efficiency standards established in the 2005 law, effectively outlawing their manufacture.
Braley and Westmoreland's Better Use of Refrigerator Regulations Act will simply create a separate product category for refrigerated deli-style display cases, effectively reversing the Department of Energy regulation.
Lennox Industries, Inc., manufactures the deli-style display cases covered by the regulation in their Marshalltown, Iowa, facility.
Representative Bruce Braley (IA-01) said: "When government regulations defy common sense and put jobs at risk, it's time for a change. With their regulation, the Department of Energy has effectively outlawed refrigerated display cases commonly found in grocery stores, delis, ice cream shops, and restaurants. This regulation is unfair and harmful to manufacturing in Iowa and America. Our bipartisan bill will reverse this misguided regulation and protect American jobs. I'm proud to work with Representative Westmoreland to create a common sense solution that will appeal to people on both sides of the aisle."
Representative Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) said: "Sometimes smaller issues, like this one, are overlooked in a federal government as large as ours. But that doesn't mean they aren't important and don't impact the livelihood of many Americans, including many of your friends and neighbors here in Georgia. By creating a separate product class for these display cases, we are allowing American manufacturers to continue to make and sell them - saving American manufacturing jobs - and we can do so at no cost to the American taxpayer. It's bipartisan bills like this that show both sides of the aisle are opposed to the overregulation that has become commonplace in Washington. The more regulations and red tape created by bureaucrats in Washington, the harder it is for American companies to succeed, making it harder for them to expand and hire new employees. By eliminating unnecessary regulations, we are able to encourage job creation and economic growth. I'm proud to have joined Congressman Braley in introducing the bipartisan BURR Act and encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in eliminating this unnecessary regulation."
A copy of the Better Use of Refrigerator Regulations Act can be downloaded at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/VAq
A photo of the refrigerated deli-style display cases manufactured by Lenox in Marshalltown can be viewed below:
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