AGA and the American Public Gas Association (APGA) Response to the HUD and USDA Request for Comments to Review Requirements for Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) Programs.
Attached are the AGA and APGA comments timely filed this past Wednesday, August 6, responding to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Request for Comments (RFC) to review requirements for Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) programs. They are in response to the July 7 Federal Register issued by HUD and the USDA request that we have been providing information and draft comments on over the past month. The filed comments reflect all of our concerns previously provided to HUD and the USDA on their published Final Determination on April 26, 2024, adopting the 2021 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 energy codes as minimum requirements for programs covered under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). We appreciate all the feedback provided by BECS Committee members that was included in our final comments. When available, we will provide the HUD and the USDA response to our comments and their next steps to address the concerns that AGA and other stakeholders have raised on the Final Determination.
AGA Submits Comments on the Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control Proposal for Major Increases to Their Current Energy Code Requirements.
On Wednesday, AGA filed the attached comments on the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control that proposed regulatory action as follows:
• Adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with zero net energy capable amendments for residential buildings.
• Adopt the 2024 IECC/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1- 2022 for commercial and high-rise residential buildings.
• Adopt Appendix RE: EV Charging Infrastructure and Appendix CB: Solar-Ready Zone with amendments to align with corresponding statutory requirements.
The AGA comments provided information and data on the importance to Delaware consumers of maintaining the availability of the efficient direct use of natural gas for homes and businesses in Delaware. The comments detailed the fact that natural gas providers have a proven track record of reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, that building energy codes and standards must be fuel neutral and based on total energy ( source or full fuel cycle metrics) use and that the Department’s proposal should fully embrace the use of renewable gases and hydrogen/hydrogen blends for their benefits. Absent these considerations in the Department’s proposal, American Gas Association requested that the Department not implement the proposed “Regulations for State Energy Conservation Code”. We will provide the Departments response when available.
AHRI Releases June 2025 Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data.
For those interested in shipment trends for residential and commercial gas and electric storage type water heaters, residential gas and oil furnaces, electric heat pumps and air-conditioners, click here for the August 8, 2025 Air-Conditioning Heating, & Refrigeration (AHRI) Press Release that provides the June, 2025 U.S. Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data. For previous monthly shipment releases and historical data, please click here . You may also wish to share this information with other groups or individuals within your organization that would be interested in this shipment data.