FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Audrey Casey
American Public Gas Association
Cell: 202-544-1332
Email: acasey@apga.org
APGA Concerned about DOE Final Rule for Consumer Water Heaters
Washington, DC (December 17, 2024) – Today, the American Public Gas Association (APGA), representing more than 730 local, municipally owned natural gas systems in 38 states, issued the following statement in response to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) release of the pre-publication final rule for energy conservation standards of consumer water heaters.
“The American Public Gas Association (APGA) is deeply concerned that the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Water Heaters final rule is establishing efficiency standards for certain consumer water heaters at levels that will eliminate more affordable appliance options for American households.
APGA strongly supports energy efficiency and practical energy conservation standards for consumer water heaters. However, the requirements outlined in DOE’s new standard effectively eliminate non-condensing instantaneous water heaters, which are commonly referred to as tankless water heaters. For many consumers, non-condensing instantaneous water heaters are more affordable and efficient than other types of available water heaters.
DOE has failed to appropriately evaluate the negative impacts that this rule and other efficiency rules may have on American consumers and manufacturers. As a result, this standard - as well as the final regulations for consumer furnaces and commercial water heaters, which APGA is challenging in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals - is not economically and technologically justified. Consumers should be able to choose the water heater that best fits their needs, budgets, and homes. This should be reflected in standards set for water heaters and all gas-fired appliances.
APGA members remain steadfast in their commitment to serving their communities safely with affordable and reliable energy and will continue to advocate for policies that protect consumer choice.”
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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.