Legislation the Senate is considering would make it ‘essentially impossible’ to set new standards, said one advocate.By Lauren DalbanThe Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources heard testimony Wednesday on the Energy Efficiency Reform Act. The new bill would make it much more difficult for the Department of Energy to update energy efficiency standards for home appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and boilers. It would also set a path for the department to backslide on existing energy efficiency mandates.