Biden Halts Nominee for Home Appliance Crackdown Post Following Opposition from Joe Manchin

The White House has abruptly withdrawn its selection to oversee energy efficiency regulations, specifically those related to natural gas-powered stoves, following the opposition of Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia.

In an unexpected turn of events, the White House announced the removal of Jeff Marootian’s candidacy for the position of leading the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) in the Department of Energy (DOE). The EERE is responsible for crafting regulations and standards for appliances. Marootian’s nomination was put in jeopardy after Manchin canceled a vote by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which would have advanced the nomination for a full floor vote in May.

“While I initially supported Mr. Marootian’s nomination in December, I have raised concerns about the stove efficiency rules proposed by the office he is nominated to lead,” said Senator Manchin in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

“Although these rules would only apply to new stoves, I believe they are part of a broader effort by the administration to phase out the use of fossil fuels. Consequently, I am not comfortable moving forward with Mr. Marootian at this time,” he continued.

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Following Senator Manchin’s comments, the White House responded by expressing its support for all of its nominees.

“The president stands by his well-qualified nominees to carry out the important work of the Department of Energy,” stated a White House official to Fox News Digital on May 18.

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Marootian was initially nominated to lead the EERE in July 2022 after his role as special assistant to President Biden and prior to his directorship of the Washington, D.C., Department of Transportation. The position had remained vacant since Daniel Simmons, who led the office during the Trump administration, left the DOE in early 2021.

DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm then appointed Marootian as her senior advisor for energy efficiency and renewable energy in September. His confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee took place in November, and he was approved by the committee in December. However, his nomination was stalled at the end of the session, resulting in Biden’s decision to renominate him in January.