PLEASE RESPOND TO: 

WASHINCOTON O~F!CE: 

2234 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE 8Ul!.D!NG 

WASH1NGTON, DC 20515--320[1 

{202) 225-3461 

FAx: {202) 226-4169 

www.house.gov/meeks 

P!STRiCl OFFiCES: 

153-01 JAMAIC/\ AVENUE 

JAMAICA, NY 11432 

(718) 725-6000 

<!tongrt!iB of tbe Wntteb ~tates 

~ouze of l\cptcsentatlues 

GREGORY W, MEEKS FAx: (718) 725--9868 

67-12 ROCKAWAY BEACH BOULEVARD 

ARVERNE, NY 11692 

(347) 230-4032 

FAX: j347) 230-4045 

The Honorable Ernest Moniz 

Secretary of Energy 

US, Department of Energy 

1000 Independence Avenue SW 

Washington, DC 20585 

Dear Secretary Moniz: 

5TH DISTRICT, NEW YORK 

June 30, 2015 

COMMITTEES: 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

SUBCOMMllTEES: 

RN-;KING MEMBER, 

EUROPE, EURASIA, AND EMERGl~JG Tf!REATS 

WESTfoRN HEMISPHfORE 

FINANCIAL SERVICES 

8UBCOMM;1TEE: 

FINANCIAL INSTl1UTiONS AND 

CONSUMiOI~ CREDll 

CAPITAL MARl<ETS AND 

GOVERNMENT SPONSORED ENTERl"ftlSES 

I write to request further evaluation and postponement of the rulemaking 

regulating on non-weatherized natmal gas furnaces, as set forth in the Federal Register 

'notice of Proposed RulemaiCing'(NOPR). Afiet rev\e~iil'itile pt~posed rule;'! ap1 ·, , ·. 

concerned thatthere may be aiiomalies in the methodology us,ed to analyze the rule's 

pdtentfal impact:· I fully support improving energy efficiency standards when they reduce 

monthly utility eosts and carbon emissions, but not when the standards potentially place 

an umeasonable bur.den on middle and low income households, 

The proposed rule in question mandates replacement ofthe rnrrent non" 

weatherized natural gas furnaces with newer and more energy efficient (condensing) .. ''. ' ' - . ' . , ." ' ''. ·_, t' . . . ·,'• ' ' . I· ' models, These more energy efficient models require s1gnificantup~front purchase and· 

installation costs, Also, resources are' limited for government incentives, thus the. . . 

marginal cost increase to acquire andliistall conderising furnaces is borne solely by 

homeowners arid lartdloicls, 'on average, cond~nsing furriaces cost about $400 more than 

non-condensing models, and often require an additional investment of between $1,500 -

$2,200, This does not take into account the costs of installations in older buildings and 

apartments where access to outside ventilation is often unavailable, 

The economic impact imposed by this rule on rent6~s and homeowners should be 

reevaluated prior to newstandar4sbeiJi'& d~termined, Manflow-income renters and 

homeowners lack access to lbw cost financing: Moreover, these households often do not 

possess suffiCient'equity or savings to afford the sighlficant upfront costs of a condensing 

natural gas furnace: As a consequence, these homeoviners may adopt a furnace appliance 

that is less expensive to install'. less' energy efficient, 'and more expensive to maintain and 

operate, 

, I must reiterate that I fully support increased energy efficiency standhrds, but , 

pariieularly for those in vulnerable communities, higher standards that conie at a steep 

eco!lomic cost must be gradually ihtroduced, the public must be fully ihforllled, ,and the 

concern~ oflow and moderate incolne households cbnsidered, I lirge th:e'Department of . !' i / ... ,-. :.riJGl.-~''.J_;-:! ~;·;-.fji"1;_,_ij :';,.-,;.• 1.~r~.::~·~r·-.1· .. ,-, .. ,, - .·.. · .. : 

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 
Energy to delay implementation of the proposed rule until the Department is able to 

address the economic impact of higher standards on urban and rural areas. I would also 

like to encourage the Department to extend its outreach so that all stakeholders are made 

fully aware of the costs and opportunities associated with the proposed rule's 

implementation. 

Energy efficiency is crucial and important step to our economic growth and I look 

forward to working with you to find a solution that meets the energy needs of Americans 

today, tomorrow and beyond. 

Sincerely, 

-=;~·u~ Gf6i!iQry W. Meeks 

Member of Congress 
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

WASHINGTON, DC 20515-3205 

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