DOE Energy Secretary Chris Wright Critical of Net-Zero Policies in New Order.

Press stories on new DOE energy policies issued this week are reporting (see attached 2.5.2025 Reuters story)  that newly appointed Energy Secretary Chris Wright has issued a new order that criticizes net-zero policies stating “Net-zero policies raise energy costs for American families and businesses, threaten the reliability of our energy system, and undermine our energy and national security”.  The report states that DOE “will prioritize expanding energy production over achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions”.  While no details are provided on the new order, it remains to be seen how it will impact end use energy codes and standards for the built environment that have been subject of proposals to achieve net-zero requirements for example for energy use, emissions, etc. We will provide additional information on the order particularly on any details that are provided that may impact end use residential and commercial model energy code requirements.

New AGA White Paper Provides Explanations on the Distinct Roles of Energy Efficiency, Electrification, and Decarbonization.

In the many BECS Committee activities dealing with end use energy codes and standards , the concepts of “electrification,” decarbonization,” and “energy efficiency” are called out in many ways and may be interconnected but they are not synonymous and have conflicting and contradictory meanings. Each represents a distinct goal, which may not be aligned. For example, in many locations in the United States, the use of electric applications as a substitute for other fuels may result in higher emissions or require greater, total energy use. Therefore, “electrification” as a policy objective would conflict with decarbonization or energy efficiency goals. Overlooking these distinctions can lead to policies that focus solely on advancing electrification without adequately considering emissions reductions or energy efficiency improvements.  The AGA White Paper, “Beyond the Buzzwords” examines the distinct roles of energy efficiency, electrification, and decarbonization in pursuing climate goals and challenges the assumption that electrification alone ensures emissions reductions. By disentangling these concepts, a wider array of policy solutions aimed at sensible emissions reductions can be explored. In this context, a holistic approach to emissions reduction that combines the direct use of natural gas, integration of renewable sources, and implementation of efficient technologies emerges as the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gases while maintaining safe, reliable, resilient, and affordable energy service choices for consumers.
The paper is linked on AGA’s website here: https://www.aga.org/research-policy/resource-library/beyond-the-buzzwords-unpacking-energy-efficiency-electrification-and-decarbonization/ . Please feel free to provide the paper to others within or outside your organization that will hopefully clarify the concepts and educate others who may be not fully aware of their differences that could and does lead to incorrect energy codes and standards requirements and decisions on energy policies.

State Codes Activity Update.

Attached is a weekly feature of the “Friday Update” covering state code calendar activities as presented by the online utility “Fiscal Note,” which is sponsored by APGA and AGA Code and Standards. Please review the update and determine if there are state code activities that impact your service territory or organization.