In another Donald Trump move that no one asked for, the controversial politician is turning his focus to showers. On Wednesday, Trump ordered the Department of Energy to repeal a Biden-era rule limiting water flow from shower heads, skipping the usual rulemaking process altogether.
“Because I am ordering the repeal,” the directive states, bypassing the public comment period, a move likely to invite legal challenges. “In my case, I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair,” Trump explained, adding that he lets the water run for 15 minutes.
He has long complained about efficiency standards, criticizing them for limiting consumer choice. His supporters have also slammed water preservation efforts. However, advocates for efficiency standards believe Trump is creating an issue.
“There were some lousy showerheads back in the 1990s,” said Andrew deLaski of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, “but today, review after review finds there are countless models that provide a great drenching. So there isn’t a problem to be solved here.”
This isn’t Trump’s first water war. In a previous executive order, he insisted it’s U.S. policy to “safeguard the American people’s freedom to choose from a variety of goods and appliances, including but not limited to lightbulbs, dishwashers, washing machines, gas stoves, water heaters, toilets, and shower heads.”
The Biden administration, however, long maintained that the original rule saves consumers money and helps the environment.
