Consumer Choice

APGA supports building and appliance energy efficiency standards that are grounded in sound science, transparent analysis, and economic justification. We believe that standards should enhance, not limit, consumer energy choices while also improving energy efficiency in a practical and cost-effective manner.

Energy Choice

Consumers should be able to select the energy choice that best meets the needs of their home, family, and budget. Policymakers should not limit, through regulations, ordinances, or building codes, a consumer’s ability to choose how they heat their homes, cook their food and power their appliances. APGA supports legislation at the federal level that protects American consumers’ right to choose which energy source best fits their needs and should oppose legislative proposals that limit access to natural gas appliances.

EPCA

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), passed in 1975 and subsequently amended, gives the Department of Energy (DOE) the authority to develop test procedures and set minimum efficiency standards for all “covered” products, including many natural gas-fired appliances. APGA supports amending EPCA to ensure this efficiency standard rulemaking process cannot be used to promote fuel switching from gas to electric appliances, which are less efficient on a full-fuel cycle basis and can increase costs for consumers.

Codes & Standards

The United States does not have a national building code or energy code, but instead are set at a state or local level through adoption of one of the national model energy codes, a modified version of the model code, or their own state-specific code.

APGA is engages with independent organizations that develop national model energy codes to ensure that the codes and standards development processes is not used to only allow electric appliances to be installed in residential and commercial buildings. Energy codes should enhance efficiency rather than adopting a “one-size-fits-all” approach that limits consumer choice or raises costs. 

Energy STAR

The Energy STAR program is a voluntary initiative to identify energy-efficient products, homes and buildings, and many consumers utilize this data when selecting an appliance.

APGA is concerned that if the program fails to use full-fuel cycle analysis, it may limit innovation, risk energy resiliency, and squander existing energy infrastructure efficiencies 

Advocacy Resources

As the representative for publicly owned natural gas utilities at the federal level, APGA often corresponds with members of Congress and federal agencies on a variety of issues.

Congressional Correspondence

APGA engages with Congress through letters and testimony detailing our members’ perspectives on important policy issues. 

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Regulatory Submissions

APGA submits comments to federal agencies voicing our members' unique perspectives on important rulemakings and policy decisions.

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Get Involved

APGA has many ways members can get involved in our association from networking to volunteer opportunities.

Committees

APGA members, through their involvement with APGA’s committees, deepen their knowledge in specific topic areas and network with similarly interested peers across the nation.

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Conferences and Webinars

APGA holds four in-person events a year including our annual Legislative Summit, an event on Capitol Hill where they engage with policymakers, as well as other meetings with their legislators. APGA also holds roundtables and webinars on a variety of topics from subject matter experts throughout the year.

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