This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the 2022 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient list will not include furnaces, boilers, or gas dryers, an action taken based on input from a small group of environmental advocates. This will be the first time the Most Efficient list will only include electric appliances. While gas appliances can still be part of the larger ENERGY STAR program, APGA felt it was important to submit a letter to EPA regarding this misguided modification to the Most Efficient List.
In the communication, APGA provided that this change stifles innovations with fuels, such as renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen, as well as limits advances in appliance technology, like natural gas-fired heat pumps. Also, APGA questioned whether EPA considered the importance of energy resiliency, given natural gas service disruptions are rare. If only electric appliances are encouraged, America is putting all-eggs-in-one-basket. Finally, APGA pointed out the infrastructure public natural gas utilities operate and their workforce, delivers energy three times more efficiently on a full-fuel-cycle basis compared to electric appliances that are powered by natural gas-fired power generation.
APGA hopes EPA will acknowledge that public natural gas utilities want to be part of the Administration’s mission to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This can’t happen if public natural gas utilities are sidelined by policies that don’t allow for the direct use of natural gas in America’s homes, businesses, and industry.
To see the letter submitted, click here.
For questions on this article, please contact Stuart Saulters of APGA staff by phone at 202-544-1334 or by email at ssaulters@apga.org.