Bill > S1029

This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prevent the Secretary of Energy, who heads the Department of Energy (DOE), from issuing a final rule that changes the energy efficiency standards for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces or mobile home furnaces until specific steps are completed. These steps include the DOE forming a diverse advisory group representing various stakeholders like manufacturers, builders, and consumer advocates, who must then conduct a thorough analysis of a nationwide requirement for higher efficiency condensing furnaces. This analysis must assess market trends, economic impacts on manufacturers, consumer costs and savings, and determine if the proposed standard is technically achievable and financially sensible. Only after this advisory group completes its analysis, makes a determination on the feasibility and justification of the standard, and this determination is officially published in the Federal Register, can the Secretary proceed with a final rule. If the advisory group decides the standard is not feasible or justified, the DOE must then use a specific process called negotiated rulemaking, as outlined in the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990, to establish any amended standards.