On Wednesday, the DOE  issued a pre-publication Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) pertaining to energy conservation standards for consumer (residential)  clothes dryers including gas clothes dryers. Recall that the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to periodically determine whether more stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this NOPR, DOE proposes amended standards for consumer clothes dryers, and also announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results. The NOPR states that DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR until 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register.  Comments, identified by docket number EERE-2014-BT-STD-0058,  can be submitted by email (ResClothesDryers2014STD0058@ee.doe.gov), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov). DOE will hold a webinar on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can Click here to register for the webinar. Find product information for Consumer Clothes Dryers including current standards and test procedures, statutory authority, waivers, exceptions and contact information. Note that the current minimum efficiency requirement for gas clothes dryers is 3.30 Combined energy factor (lbs/kWh). The DOE proposal has also split the gas clothes dryers into two product classes based on the volume of the drum size of the clothes dryer.  They are: Vented Gas, Standard (4.4 ft3 or greater capacity) 3.48  Combined energy factor (lbs/kWh)  and small Vented Gas, Compact (less than 4.4 ft3 capacity)  2.02 Combined energy factor (lbs/kWh). While the increase in the requirement for the 4.4 ft3 standard size gas clothes dryers increase  from 3.30 to 3.48 Combined energy factor (lbs/kWh), an evaluation of the basis that the DOE used for justifying the increase is needed such as increase in cost to consumers and if there are any potential unintended consequences of the increase. The same evaluation will be needed for the new compact class ( less than 4.4 ft3 capacity drum) of gas clothes dryer. AGA BECS staff will be evaluating the DOE proposal and working with other stakeholders to develop a position to the DOE proposal.