Controversial House Bill Seeks To Flush Low-flush Toilets
HR 623, a bill seeking to repeal the low-flow plumbing standards enacted under the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992, has gone through the House Commerce Committee and is currently being reviewed by the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
“The message is clear, and often written on toilet paper: ‘Get the government out of my bathroom!’” So said Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Feb. 8 as he introduced HR 623, a bill seeking to repeal the low-flow plumbing standards enacted under the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992. The bill has gone through the House Commerce Committee and is currently being reviewed by the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
“This bill would begin to restore common sense to our government,” Knollenberg said to his House colleagues, “by repealing the ridiculous federal mandates on toilet size and showerhead flow, 1.6 gallons and 2.5 gallons per minute, respectively. I first became aware of the problems our national plumbing laws have created when I began to receive complaints from a variety of frustrated individuals (who) were upset their new, expensive toilets were repeatedly clogging and consistently required multiple flushes. If some consumers want tiny toilets or trickling showerheads, the economy will provide these products without the burden of federal decrees,” Knollenberg said. “Unfortunately, our failed policy on plumbing fixtures has strangled the market (and) created innumerable headaches.”