International Code Council (ICC) Committee Action Hearings Including the International Fuel Gas Code Hearing Completed This Week.

The ICC Committee Action Code Hearings held from October 23 – 31 at the Long Beach Convention Center were completed on Thursday.  Actions on proposals at the hearings that are taking actions on all proposals that are being considered for the 2027 editions of the Group A series of model codes that include International Fuel Gas, Building, Residential, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, Existing Building, codes, etc. The International Fuel Gas Code hearing was held on Sunday and AGA is pleased with the actions on proposals to the IFGC. Of particular interest is the IFGC committee approval of a modification on recognizing hydrogen blending with natural gas presented in Admin1-24 as follows:

101.2.2.1 Hydrogen admixture natural gas supply.

Supply systems in which hydrogen is blended into admixtures greater than 5% and not exceeding 20% hydrogen by volume.

In addition, FG11-24 Part 1 to add the following coverage for hydrogen blending into natural gas distribution systems.  

301.3.1 Appliances and equipment listed and labeled for use with hydrogen admixture.

Appliances and equipment operating on hydrogen admixtures of natural gas shall be listed and labeled for operation within the hydrogen admixture limits defined under Section 101.2.2.1.  

All actions by the ICC Code Action Committees on the Group A series of model codes including the IFGC committee recommendations will now be balloted by the full ICC membership (governmental members only)  and will be acted on by the membership final vote. There will still be an appleals process following the membership vote.  We will report the final actions on all proposals when available.

AGA Issues Natural Gas Efficiency Programs Report that Provides Documentation of Natural Gas Utilities Support for Energy Efficiency.

This week, AGA announced the publication of the latest iteration of the 2021 and 2022 Natural Gas Efficiency Programs Report. This report presents data collected from AGA members as well as the members of our partner organization the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) on the natural gas ratepayer-funded efficiency and conservation programs to provide insight into retrospective industry trends. Below is a brief synopsis of the report, and few of the top highlights: In 2024, the American Gas Association (AGA) and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) conducted a survey of their U.S. and Canadian members to assess the status and metrics of ratepayer-funded natural gas efficiency and low-income weatherization programs for the 2021 and 2022 program years.

The 2021 and 2022 data on natural gas utility efficiency programs in North America reveal significant growth and diversification. In 2021, there were 74 such programs, which increased to 83 in 2022, with the U.S. accounting for 79 programs and Canada maintaining four. The expansion reflects both increased participation and a broader range of program offerings, although these numbers might not fully capture all available programs.

• 93% of natural gas energy efficiency programs have been operational for more than 10 years, 27% of programs have been operational for more than two decades.
• 60% of the budget for 2023 was for financial incentives for customers to adopt and implement energy efficiency measures.
• In 2022, natural gas efficiency programs saved 336 million therms of energy, roughly 1.7 million metric tons of avoided CO2 emissions and 424,000 cars removed from the road for one year.
• In 2022, utilities in North America spent $1.51 billion on energy efficiency programs, a 37% increase from 2021.

The report and associated appendices can be found on the AGA website here . BECS Committee members should consider distributing it throughout their organization as well as other appropriate audiences in their service territories.  The information is very important for AGA staff and members engaged in building energy code hearings, rate cases, etc.  and other energy efficiency proceedings to counter the anti-fossil fuel crowd’s constant criticism that we, and our members only care about marketing natural gas, and we oppose energy efficiency because it cuts into our profits and market share. Contact Morgan Hoy,  Manager, Economic and Regulatory Analysis, P: 202-824-7085 and email  [email protected] for any questions or more information on the report.