On January 17, the Department of Energy (DOE) withdrew a proposed rule to amend energy conservation standards for consumer boilers. This decision followed a proposed rule published on August 14, 2023, which sought a minimum efficiency requirement for gas boilers that would have eliminated the manufacturing and sale of non-condensing boilers.
According to DOE, the withdrawal was influenced by substantial feedback received during the public comment period. Various stakeholders, including APGA, raised concerns about the rulemaking – specifically concerning the analysis underpinning the proposed standards and the potential impact on manufacturers and consumers.
As such, and in light of the change in Administration and resources needed to review and consider all relevant matters presented in the public comment, DOE deemed it appropriate to withdraw the proposed rule and emphasized the need for further review and consideration of all relevant matters presented in the public comments before proceeding with any amendments to the energy conservation standards for consumer boilers.
Recall, on October 13, 2023, APGA submitted comments that identified significant concerns with the technical analysis and economic justification that DOE developed to establish the 95% AFUE minimum efficiency level for gas boilers. These comments were submitted jointly with the American Gas Association, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), Spire Inc., Spire Missouri Inc., and Spire Alabama Inc. To read these comments, click here.
For questions on this article, please contact Sydney Novoa of APGA at 202-464-0834 or snovoa@apga.org.