Mandate on Low-Flow Toilet Stands

Initial efforts to repeal portions of the 1992 Energy Policy and Conservation Act that mandate

low-flow toilets and other water-conserving plumbing fixtures have failed. A House subcommittee voted 13-12 on April 12 to keep the water conservation standards. Joining the 11 Democrats on the vote were two Republican lawmakers from quickly growing states with limited fresh water: Reps. Heather Wilson of New Mexico and Michael Bilirakis of Florida. Bill sponsor Joe Knollenberg (R-Michigan) plans to resurrect his effort to repeal the standards later this year, according to an

Infobeat news story. Rep. Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts) was quoted in the article as saying: “I would suggest that there is one thing more asinine than federal regulation of plumbing supplies, and that’s 50 different state standards. Such an outcome could have a severe constipating effect on interstate commerce.” For more background, see

EBN

Vol. 8, No. 9.