US business groups applaud Cruz’s gas furnace resolution as it moves to House Passage

WASHINGTON – A number of industry groups today applauded the resolution authored and passed by the Senate last week by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (Texas), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, as it heads to the House of Representatives. The resolution condemned and rescinded the Biden administration’s Department of Energy rule on gas furnace efficiency standards, which would have effectively banned non-condensing gas furnace models. After the vote, Senator Cruz said, “I urge the House to move quickly to adopt this resolution and pass it.”

Industry leaders said:

Adam Temple, vice president of advocacy for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), said: “This DOE furnace regulation is one of many burdensome and costly regulations coming out of Washington. Small business owners are overwhelmed by countless government regulations that add costs and bureaucracy to their businesses. In this case, the DOE misrepresented the economic impact this rule would have on small businesses because it would ultimately increase small business owners’ input costs and increase inflationary pressures. We support Senator Cruz’s efforts to repeal the burdensome DOE rule and provide relief to small businesses.”

Talbot Gee, general manager of international heating, air conditioning and refrigeration distributors, said: “HARDI is thrilled by the bipartisan support for Senator Cruz’s CRA resolution. This resolution is a necessary response to the DOE’s inherently flawed rulemaking process, which has failed to adequately address the overall cost of retrofitting a home with condensing furnaces. As the trade association representing wholesale distributors of HVAC products, we are committed to protecting and promoting consumer choice in all products. We are grateful for Senator Cruz’s support as he supports us in our efforts to protect consumers from rising costs caused by more regulations.”

Joe Cornetta, President of the Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC National) said: “The PHCC applauds Senator Cruz’s extraordinary efforts to challenge U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulations by introducing legislation invoking Congress’s onerous elimination of non-condensing gas furnaces.”

Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, said: “The Biden administration’s relentless assault on the lifestyles and wallets of American families hit a snag today thanks to the leadership of Senator Ted Cruz. Whether it’s gas ranges, cars, or in this case, stoves, Senator Cruz is fighting the misguided attacks on domestic oil and natural gas and helping protect American families from even higher prices caused by President Joe Biden’s policies. The American Energy Alliance applauds Senator Cruz for advancing the free market and helping keep home heating and cooling affordable.”

Stuart Saulters, vice president of government relations, American Public Gas Association (APGA), said: “APGA appreciates Senator Cruz as a leader in the legislative effort to roll back the deeply flawed Department of Energy (DOE) regulations that finalized a new minimum efficiency standard for residential gas furnaces. We are also grateful that his colleagues followed his lead and passed a resolution of disapproval. This regulation wrongly fuels costly fuel switching by prohibiting the introduction of a popular appliance technology, non-condensing furnaces, to the market. Without access to this technology, many consumers will be forced to replace their furnaces with costly upgrades or switch to electric solutions, if at all possible. These policies particularly target vulnerable and underserved communities, potentially forcing them to switch to electric furnaces, which are less affordable and more efficient than direct use of natural gas. APGA hopes that the House will now adopt this important resolution.”

Barton James, president of Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), said: “On behalf of Air Conditioning Contractors of America and our members, we sincerely thank Senator Cruz, his staff and his colleagues in the Senate for their work to raise this important issue. This vote is a victory for both the HVACR industry and residential heating consumers. This is an important step in the right direction, ensuring consumers have choice in the residential heating market while avoiding unnecessary government overreach.”

Tim Stewart, president of the United States Oil and Gas Association (USOGA), said: “Senator Cruz has taken the first giant step toward restoring common sense after three years of absurd energy policy. It saved most American households about $6,700. More importantly, the senator spared us all from having to retrofit our homes to suit our needs. DOE claims new regulations will “ultimately” reduce home utility costs by $1.5 billion per year, but fails to mention that consumers and industry will spend tens of billions of dollars to comply with new regulations only to “ultimately” “Save $1.5 billion. “Senator Cruz should be commended for his efforts.”

Steve Kaminski, president and CEO of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), said: “NPGA commends Senator Cruz and the U.S. Senate for passing SJ Res. 58 and taking common-sense actions to protect American families by voting to preserve consumer choice and accessibility. NPGA and its members oppose the Department of Energy’s regulation of energy conservation standards for consumer furnaces and any action by federal, state, or local governments that restricts or denies consumers access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy sources.

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