The Energy Department can now fine companies for selling inefficient appliances

The US Energy Department has updated its rules for how it enforces energy efficiency standards for consumer products and industrial equipment. This means the department can now issue civil penalties to companies that sell products not meeting federal efficiency requirements.

For years, the Energy Department could set efficiency standards, but it had limited power to punish companies that ignored them. This rule change gives the department a direct way to enforce those standards. It means manufacturers and importers of everything from refrigerators to industrial motors now face real financial consequences if their products waste too much energy.