Yesterday, the Department of Energy published a Federal Register notification of data availability (NODA) pertaining to energy conservation standards for miscellaneous gas products (MGPs).  As reported in the June 10 BECS Update, DOE published a request for information (RFI) regarding standards for MGPs. In that RFI, DOE specifically sought stakeholder input and data on a variety of topics including, but not limited to, product categories, energy use, shipments, and technology options. Based on the information that DOE collected in response to stakeholder input, data that has been identified and collected by DOE, and data collected during confidential manufacturer interviews, DOE published the NODA “to provide stakeholders with additional information and to provide an additional opportunity for public input. DOE is requesting comments, data, and information on all aspects of the NODA”.  DOE will accept comments and information regarding this NODA until December 19, 2022. On July 14, 2022, AGA, the American Public Gas Association (APGA) and the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) filed joint comments (attached) on the June DOE Notice where, among other concerns, we identified a major problem with DOE failing to identify the specific products included in MGP’s. In response to this concern, DOE has attempted to do so by identifying four groups of representative MGP’s as follows: 1. Indoor vented gas log sets, 2. Other indoor vented decorative hearth products (includes all other decorative hearth products that are not gas logs, including gas fireplaces, gas stoves, and gas fireplace inserts), 3. Outdoor decorative hearth products (which includes outdoor decorative fireplaces, fire pits, fire bowls, fire columns, and fire tables) and 4.Outdoor patio heaters (which includes pyramid-style patio torch heaters, radiant patio torch heaters, and infrared heaters). DOE is also asking a series of questions (17) regarding MGP’s. AGA BECS staff will be reviewing the DOE questions and requests BECS members to also review the NODA and provide feedback to us as soon as possible. The December 19th deadline provides inadequate time for most stakeholders to respond and AGA along with other trade associations will be filing for an extension on the filing deadline. But there is no assurance that DOE will issue an extension therefore we will be assuming that the December 19th deadline will remain in place.   Comments are to be submitted to docket number EERE-2022-BT-STD-0017, by email ([email protected]), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov).  Additional product information for these products can be found at Miscellaneous Gas Products that includes current standards and test procedures, statutory authority, waivers, exceptions and contact information.