PETER WELCH 

AT·lARGE, VERMONT 

CHIEF DEPUTY WHIP 

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC 

STEERING & POLICY COMMITIEE 

COMMITIEE ON 

ENERGY AND COMMERCE 

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COMMITIEEON 

OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT 

REFORM 

The Honorable Ernest Moniz 

Department of Energy 

1000 Independence Ave., SW 

Washington, DC 20585 

Dear Secretary Moniz: 

July 7, 2015 

2303 flAVOURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 

Wi\SlllNGTOll, DC 20515-4500 

202-225-4 115 

OISTRICT: 

128 LAK[SIDE AVENUE 

SUITE 235 

0URLINGTON, VT 0540 1 

1802) 652-2450 

(888) 605- 7270 

I write today regarding a recent proposed rule to increase the efficiency of gas and propane 

hearth products. While I continue to support efforts to increase the efficiency of our nation's 

appliances, I ask that you consider the impact these new standards could have on small 

businesses and manufacturers as the agency develops a final rule. 

The standard, first proposed in January 2015, would apply to all vented or ventless hearth 

products, including space heating hearth products, decorative products, gas Jogs, gas stoves, and 

outdoor hearth products. Among its provisions, the proposal would require manufacturers to 

eliminate the continuously burning pilot light present in many products. 

These standards have the potential to save consumers money, reduce the impact on the 

environment and spur i1movation, but it is critical that the agency carefully consider the impact 

these rules may have on small businesses and manufacturers. Recently, I've heard from several 

small businesses in Vermont about the regulatory challenges they are managing in the face of a 

rapid accumulation of new federal regulatory requirements from a number of different agencies. 

Companies like Hearthstone Stoves located in Morrisville, VT and Vermont Castings in Bethel, 

VT have been manufacturing quality, efficient products for years and are economic drivers in the 

region. These small businesses are committed to producing clean, efficient products, but are 

concerned that the Department's new proposed rule, in combination with other federal rules, arc 

resulting in significantly increased costs in areas such as product design and compliance testing. 

These additional costs can impact the encl consumer, and subsequently the adoption rate of the 

new technologies the Department is seeking to advance the use of. If new equipment is seen by 

consumers as being cost prohibitive, it may disincentivize the adoption of more efficient 

equipment. Such an outcome would undermine the ability of the Department to meet its policy 

goals as well as the ability of consumers to reap the benefits of high-efficiency heating 

equipment. 

PAINTED Oii RECYCLED PAPER 
New regulations must achieve a balance. As you develop a final rule for hearth products, I urge 

you to carefully consider these concerns and ensure the final efficiency standard appropriately 

balances energy policy goals with practical cost impacts. Additionally, I ask that you work with 

small businesses like Hearthstone and Vermont Castings to provide the resources and teclmical 

assistance th~y need to meet any new efficiency standards that are developed. 

Thank for your attention to this important matter. . 

PETER WELCH 

Member of Congress