Ah, yes, nothing says “Powering the Great American Comeback” like pulling the plug on climate protection and energy efficiency. The Trump administration, in a display of inspired 19th-century thinking, is reportedly preparing to eliminate two key Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) divisions that, until now, were quietly toiling away trying to prevent the planet from becoming a pizza oven.

First on the chopping block: the climate change division and the climate protection partnership division, both buried within the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (which, let’s be honest, is sounding more ironic by the minute). These departments have had the audacity to focus on trivial matters like greenhouse gases, methane emissions, and—you know—basic planetary survival.

And what else is going extinct? Only the Energy Star program, that pesky, bipartisan, consumer-friendly initiative started under George H. W. Bush (back when Republicans still believed in thermostats). The same program that helps Americans find energy-efficient appliances and shave billions off their utility bills. How offensive!

Apparently, saving households $40 billion annually on just a $32 million federal investment is too socialist a return. After all, why should a government help its citizens not set fire to their electric bills?

But don’t worry—EPA officials assure us that this isn’t a gutting of essential environmental infrastructure. No, no. These are “organizational improvements,” clearly. Because when you’re out of ideas, throw in buzzwords like “streamlining” or “restructuring” and hope nobody notices the smoke.

To be fair, the staff won’t all be fired immediately. The EPA is first offering a classy round of “deferred resignations”—also known as “get out or we’ll push you out later.” The exact number of pink slips remains a mystery, perhaps stashed somewhere in the methane clouds over Texas.

And lest you worry that these actions are scientifically unsound, fear not: the Trump EPA is also rolling back over a dozen Biden-era pollution rules and rethinking a foundational scientific finding that says climate pollution is bad. Because if science says something inconvenient, just vote it off the island.

So yes, in summary: climate programs? Axed. Energy efficiency? Buh-bye. Logic? Unplugged. But hey—at least we’ve got our “Great American Comeback.” Just don’t forget to pack sunscreen, a gas mask, and a diesel generator.

Water flow regulations for showers in the United States are primarily set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conserve water and energy. These regulations limit the maximum flow rate of showerheads sold and installed in the country.

Here’s a breakdown of the key rules and standards:

 1. Federal Showerhead Flow Standard

• Established: 1992 under the Energy Policy Act

• Maximum Flow Rate: 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at 80 psi (pounds per square inch) of water pressure

• Applies to all showerheads manufactured and sold in the U.S.

2. EPA WaterSense Standard (Voluntary)

• Launched: 2006

• Maximum Flow Rate: 2.0 gpm

• Must maintain good pressure and spray quality

• Showerheads that meet this standard carry the WaterSense label, meaning they are both efficient and effective

• Voluntary but widely adopted by states, municipalities, and building codes

3. State-Specific Regulations (Stricter in Some States)

Some states have gone further than the federal rule to encourage conservation:

California

• Current standard: 1.8 gpm

• Enacted during severe drought conditions and is now permanent

• Applies to showerheads sold or installed in the state

Washington

• Adopted 1.8 gpm standard, similar to California

New York

• Follows federal standard (2.5 gpm), but some city buildings (like in NYC) install low-flow heads for savings

Colorado, Hawaii, Vermont, and Oregon

• Also have adopted 2.0 gpm or 1.8 gpm max flow standards

4. Multi-Head Showers

• A 2010 federal clarification states that combined flow from all active heads in a multi-head system must not exceed 2.5 gpm unless each head is controlled separately.

5. Exemptions and Modifications

• Older homes may still have higher-flow heads unless updated

• Some commercial or institutional uses (like gyms or hotels) may have customized plumbing allowances but still must follow sale/manufacture restrictions

Why It Matters:

• Reducing flow from 2.5 to 2.0 gpm can save thousands of gallons of water per year

• Also reduces energy costs (less hot water used)

• EPA estimates households can save up to $70 per year just by switching to a WaterSense-certified showerhead

• the US allows a higher maximum flow than most other developed countries.

• Canada, Australia, and Singapore have stricter limits, often between 6–9 L/min.

• European countries generally don’t have mandatory flow restrictions yet, but eco-certifications (like BREEAM or LEED) push for more efficient fixtures.

• Water-scarce nations (e.g., South Africa, Israel, and parts of Australia) tend to enforce lower limits and strict conservation practices.