FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Josh St.Pierre
Phone: (202) 407-0015
Email: jstpierre@apga.org
APGA Applauds House Resolution Disapproving Flawed Water Heater Rulemaking
Washington, D.C. (February 27, 2025) – The American Public Gas Association (APGA), representing more than 730 communities across the U.S. that own and operate their retail natural gas distribution entities, issued the following statement in response to the passage of a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval in the House related to the Biden administration’s Department of Energy (DOE) rulemaking revising minimum efficiency standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters (GIWHs).
“APGA applauds the U.S. House of Representative for passing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval of the Biden administration’s gas-fired instantaneous water heater rule. APGA strongly supports energy efficiency and practical energy conservation standards for consumer water heaters. However, the rule became the latest appliance regulation that would eliminate an affordable and efficient appliance option for Americans.”
“APGA appreciates members of the U.S. House of Representatives taking bipartisan action to roll back a greatly flawed rulemaking that wrongfully limits consumer choice. This rule was the latest of several impacting gas-fired appliances in which the agency failed to appropriately evaluate the negative impact that it will have on American consumers and manufacturers. The overturning of this rule will ensure consumers can continue to choose the water heater that best fits their needs, budget, and homes or businesses.”
“APGA urges the Senate to join the House and disapprove the flawed rulemaking for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. Congress’s disapproval will provide DOE a year to re-issue the rule and remedy its major shortcomings, including lack of separate product classes and cost justification.”
“The U.S. House of Representative’s disapproval of the gas-fired instantaneous water heaters standard aligns directly with President Trump’s policy ‘to safeguard the American people’s freedom to choose from a variety of goods and appliances, including… gas stoves, water heaters… and to promote market competition and innovation within the manufacturing and appliance industries’ as stated in the president’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order.”
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APGA is the national association of municipally and publicly-owned local distribution systems. There are about 1,000 public gas systems serving more than 6 million customers. These public gas utilities are not-for-profit retail distribution entities that are owned by, and accountable to, the citizens they serve. They include municipal gas distribution systems, public utility districts, county districts, and other public agencies that have natural gas distribution facilities