Washington (CNN) A coalition of environmental groups sued the Energy Department on Tuesday in an effort to block a new federal rule that would allow for faster dishwashers, arguing it could possibly lead to "higher household utility bills and more pollution." The rule finalized by the department in October would create a product class of dishwashers "with a cycle time for the normal cycle of one hour or less from washing through drying." But the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and other groups want a federal appeals court to review and set aside the new rule, saying it is unnecessary in part because "most of today's dishwashers already offer quick cycles, including some that take less than an hour." President Donald Trump railed against dishwasher efficiency while on the campaign trail, including when he referenced suburban women's alleged dissatisfaction with dishwashers. In Michigan last year, for instance, Trump claimed that while dishwashers used to generate an "explosion" at the push of a button, "now you press it 12 times, women tell me."

Source: CNN December 29, 2020 18:45 UTC