Changes Ahead On How Energy-Efficiency Standards Are Set?

The U.S. Dept. of Energy has published a notice in the Federal Register that it has proposed “to streamline and modernize” the rule affecting how DOE sets energy-efficiency standards and test procedures for both commercial equipment and residential appliances. The DOE will accept comments through April 15 and will hold a public hearing on proposed changes March 21 in Washington, D.C.

NAFEM members and residential appliance makers have been complaining for years about—and lobbying for changes to—the DOE’s so-called “process rule,” claiming the process under which the department sets efficiency standards and test procedures are arbitrary and lack transparency.