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Senate Passes Resolution to Block DOE’s Furnace Rule

By Joshua St.Pierre posted 05-30-2024 09:41 AM

  
On May 21, the Senate passed Senator Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) resolution disapproving of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) rule on minimum efficiency standards for gas furnaces. The resolution would walk back DOE’s restrictive rulemaking that sets unreasonable minimum efficiency standards for gas furnaces and would effectively ban non-condensing models. Without access to this technology, many consumers, including those served by public gas utilities, will be forced to replace their furnaces with costly retrofits, if even possible, or switch to electric alternatives. This policy is especially concerning because of its potential impact on the most vulnerable energy consumers who may be forced to pay the higher costs associated with purchasing and operating electric furnaces that are less affordable and less efficient. Read more about this rule here. 
 
The resolution passed on a bipartisan basis with several Democrats joining Republicans in support of Senator Cruz’s resolution pushing back against DOE’s effort to force fuel switching. Now focus turns to the House where similar language has been introduced by Representatives Fischbach (MN) and Fallon (TX). 
 
If passed in both chambers, the resolution is unlikely to be signed into law by President Biden. These efforts are important, however, because they send a clear message to the Administration and the public that Americans are unhappy with efforts to strip them of their right to choose what appliances best fit their needs.
 
APGA staff supported Senator Cruz’s office in this effort and will continue to engage when appropriate. Read more here. 
 
For questions on this article, please contact Josh St.Pierre of APGA staff by phone at 202-407-0015 or by email at jstpierre@apga.org.

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