Gas Against Biden, Oil Against Biden, America Against Biden.
The Biden administration finds itself entangled in legal proceedings following allegations from the American Gas Association (AGA) that the newly introduced regulations on residential furnaces, particularly those powered by fossil fuels, place an undue financial burden on American families without delivering significant environmental benefits.
In five years, around Christmas 2028, if you have to replace your gas furnace, you may be saddled with hundreds if not thousands of dollars of additional costs to upgrade that equipment to comply with this rule- Richard Meyer on discussing with DOE
On December 18, the AGA formally filed a lawsuit against the Department of Energy (DOE), challenging the agency’s recently enacted energy conservation standard for residential furnaces. The AGA contends that these regulations effectively eliminate traditional, non-condensing natural gas furnaces, leaving American households with limited options and increased costs.
Karen Harbert, President and CEO of the AGA, expressed concern, stating, “This ruling from DOE will push American families with natural gas heat into a corner.” She emphasized that families might face difficult choices between expensive retrofits for electric heating or time-consuming renovations to accommodate a different type of natural gas furnace. In either scenario, increased costs would be inevitable, with minimal environmental gains.
The American Gas Association (AGA) leveled a legal challenge against the Biden administration Monday over a new regulation impacting the use of gas appliances. https://t.co/jKMtIK1HvG
— NewsChannel 8 | KTUL (@KTULNews) December 20, 2023
The DOE, asserting that the new rules combat climate change and result in substantial heating cost savings, has yet to respond to the lawsuit.
The DOE’s energy efficiency standards, finalized in September, specifically target non-weatherized gas furnaces and those used in mobile homes. The regulations mandate these furnaces to achieve an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 95 percent, effective in 2028. This means manufacturers will only be permitted to sell furnaces that convert at least 95 percent of fuel into heat. The current industry standard AFUE for home furnaces is 80 percent.
The AGA argues that these standards render conventional, non-condensing natural gas furnaces unavailable to consumers, compelling them to switch to electric heating or undergo costly home adaptations for condensing furnaces. The group points out that condensing furnaces have different venting systems, making substitution challenging, especially in older homes and low-income neighborhoods.
Gas industry scrooges sue to block new efficiency rules that will save Americans billions of dollars.
All they have for you is a lump of gas in your Christmas stocking.
Gas groups sue to block DOE furnace rule https://t.co/cguBGLtbBM… via @EENewsUpdates
— David Doniger (@DavidDoniger) December 20, 2023
The DOE asserts that the regulations will yield annual household utility cost savings of $1.5 billion and significantly reduce carbon and methane emissions, contributing to the fight against the climate crisis. Over 30 years, the agency estimates a reduction of 332 million metric tons of carbon emissions and 4.3 million tons of methane emissions, accompanied by a total utility bill decrease of $24.8 billion.
Natural gas industry files legal challenge against DOE rules targeting gas furnaces | Just The News – John Solomon
The AGA counters, claiming that seniors on fixed incomes and lower-income Americans will be disproportionately affected. According to the group, 30 percent of senior-only households, 26 percent of low-income households, and 27 percent of small business consumers will face higher costs due to the new regulations. Additionally, the AGA contends that the regulations fail to meet both technological feasibility and economic justification criteria.
Moreover, the AGA warns that installation challenges may result in stranded equipment or repairs past its useful life, ultimately leading to increased energy usage and emissions. The group states that consumers may be compelled to fuel switch, resulting in reduced energy efficiency and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
AGA to sue over gas furnace rule…
DOE rule will push American families with natural gas heat into a corner — when their furnace goes out, they’ll be forced to retrofit for electric with the increased month-to-month utility bills or a new gas furnace …https://t.co/UW5FJGtZJj
— Mark 🇺🇸🐊 (@FLWolf01) December 20, 2023
Despite attempts to collaborate with the DOE to address concerns, the AGA claims that their input has been disregarded. Jennifer Granholm, the Secretary of Energy, maintains that the new rule aligns with President Biden’s commitment to saving Americans money and fostering healthy communities.
This legal dispute is part of a broader pattern, with the DOE proposing rules that could make household appliances more expensive and potentially influence Americans to replace their current appliances. For instance, the proposed natural gas stove rule could necessitate redesigns for 90 percent of gas stoves, with an estimated annual cost increase of $32 million. Critics argue that the administration’s approach, ostensibly for climate change, could cost the average American household over $9,100, according to a consumer watchdog.