Congressman Marsha Blackburn co-sponsored an amendment to a Department of Energy funding bill that would prevent enforcement of proposed rules governing ceiling fans. Credit: Steve A Johnson via Flickr.
First, Congressman Marsha Blackburn tried to rescue the incandescent light bulb from being phased out in favor of more energy efficient compact fluorescents. Now she’s trying to protect ceiling fans from new Department of Energy rules.
The last DOE regulations for ceiling fans were written in 2005 and set to be reviewed every seven years. Nearly 100 pages of updates came out in March, and Blackburn accuses the agency and the Obama Administration of overreaching – a popular theme for the Brentwood Republican.
“From the angle of the blade, shape, airflow, light kits – they are determined to redesign the American fan,” she said on the House floor Wednesday.
One of the primary goals is to improve efficiency of fan motors by transitioning from AC to DC current. But Blackburn points out ceiling fans already are many times more efficient than air conditioning.
Fan manufacturers say new motors would make their products more expensive. Blackburn predicted harm to Hunter Fan Company, which is headquartered just outside Memphis.
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