Bill
Bill > HR906
summary
Introduced
02/11/2015
02/11/2015
In Committee
04/15/2015
04/15/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
To modify the efficiency standards for grid-enabled water heaters. (Sec. 1) Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to provide additional energy conservation standards applicable to grid-enabled water heaters for use as part of an electric thermal storage or demand response program (a program that enables customers to reduce or shift their power use during peak demand periods). Requires annual reports from: (1) manufacturers of such water heaters regarding the quantity of the products shipped each year, and (2) utilities and other demand response and thermal storage program operators regarding the quantity of products activated for their programs. Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to publish analyses of data collected from such reports and to establish procedures to prevent product diversion if sales of the products exceed by at least 15% the quantity activated for use in the demand response and thermal storage programs annually. Maintains the standards and publication procedures established by this Act until the Secretary determines that: (1) such water heaters do not require a separate efficiency requirement, or (2) procedures to prevent product diversion for non-program purposes would not be adequate to prevent such product diversion. Requires DOE to consider the impact of EPCA electric water heater standards on thermal storage and demand response programs, including on energy savings, electric bills, peak load reduction, electric reliability, integration of renewable resources, and the environment. Directs DOE to require the water heaters be equipped with communication capability to enable the grid-enabled water heaters to participate in ancillary services programs if the technology is available, practical, and cost-effective. Makes it unlawful for any person to: activate an activation lock for a grid-enabled water heater with knowledge that it is not used as part of such program, distribute an activation key for such a water heater with knowledge that it will be used to activate a heater that is not used as part of the program, enable such water heater to operate at its designed specification and capabilities with knowledge that it is not used as part of the program, or knowingly remove or render illegible the label of a such water heater.
AI Summary
This bill modifies efficiency standards for grid-enabled water heaters, which are electric resistance water heaters designed for use in programs that help manage electricity demand, such as electric thermal storage or demand response programs. These programs allow consumers to reduce or shift their electricity usage during peak times. The bill requires manufacturers to report the number of these specialized water heaters they ship annually, and program operators (like utilities) to report how many they activate for their programs. The Department of Energy (DOE) will analyze this data and establish procedures to prevent these water heaters from being diverted for non-program use if sales significantly exceed activation for intended programs. The bill also mandates that these water heaters be equipped with communication capabilities to participate in ancillary services programs if technologically feasible and cost-effective, and makes it illegal to misuse the activation locks or keys for these heaters, or to tamper with their labels, if the user knows the heater is not part of an approved program. These new standards will remain in effect until the DOE determines they are no longer necessary or that diversion prevention is inadequate.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (18)
Ed Whitfield (R)*,
Rod Blum (R),
Larry Bucshon (R),
Bradley Byrne (R),
Kevin Cramer (R),
Michael Doyle (D),
Jeff Duncan (R),
Tom Emmer (R),
Christopher Gibson (R),
Trey Gowdy (R),
Bob Latta (R),
David Loebsack (D),
Luke Messer (R),
Mick Mulvaney (R),
Richard Nolan (D),
Collin Peterson (D),
Peter Welch (D),
Steve Womack (R),
Last Action
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 102. (on 06/09/2015)
Official Document
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