Staff Reports
The American Gas Association, representing over 200 energy companies that supply natural gas to millions of Americans, has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over new regulations on gas-powered furnaces. The lawsuit claims that the Department of Energy’s new rules would effectively outlaw many furnace models that are still in use by American consumers. These rules would raise the required efficiency ratings of new furnaces from 80 to 95 percent, eliminating non-condensing gas furnaces as an option for consumers. The AGA predicts that more than half of American households will be affected by these regulations, leading to higher costs for senior households, small businesses, and low-income households.
The Biden administration, on the other hand, argues that the new rules will save Americans $570 billion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next 30 years. However, when considering the actual impact of these regulations on global greenhouse gas emissions, the numbers appear to be minimal. The AGA’s President and CEO, Karen Harbert, argues that these new rules will saddle American families with increased costs and provide little environmental gain. She points out that consumers will be forced to choose between retrofitting for electric heat, which comes with higher utility bills, or undergoing a costly and time-consuming renovation to install a different type of natural gas furnace.
Biden Admin’s Natural Gas Crackdown Runs Into Legal Challenge: ‘Increased Costs with Little Environmental Gain’ pic.twitter.com/Val4RH9jq8
— The Liberty Loft (@thelibertyloft) December 20, 2023
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm shifts the blame for the impacts of these regulations to Congress, claiming that the DOE is simply following their direction to lower costs and reduce energy use. The AGA’s legal challenge argues that the DOE’s rule fails to meet statutory requirements and ignores the impacts on consumers and homeowners. They claim that the rule will push American families into a corner, presenting them with costly and limited options for heating their homes.
The lawsuit filed by the American Gas Association is a response to what they see as burdensome regulations that will have a negative impact on American households. They believe that the new rules will cause increased costs for consumers without providing significant environmental benefits. It remains to be seen how the lawsuit will unfold and what impact it may have on the regulations imposed by the Biden administration.
