A bill to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from prescribing a final rule amending the efficiency standards for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces or mobile home furnaces until an analysis has been completed, and for other purposes.

To amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from prescribing a final rule amending the efficiency standards for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces or mobile home furnaces until an analysis has been completed, and for other purposes. 1. Standards for certain furnaces Section 325(f)(4) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6295(f)(4) (E) Restriction on final rule for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces and mobile home furnaces (i) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary shall not prescribe a final rule amending the efficiency standards for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces or mobile home furnaces until each of the following has occurred: (I) The Secretary convenes a representative advisory group of interested stakeholders, including the manufacturers, distributors, and contractors of residential non-weatherized gas furnaces and mobile home furnaces, home builders, building owners, energy efficiency advocates, natural gas utilities, electric utilities, and consumer groups. (II) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the advisory group described in subclause (I) completes an analysis of a nationwide requirement of a condensing furnace efficiency standard including— (aa) a complete analysis of current market trends regarding the transition of sales from non-condensing furnaces to condensing furnaces; (bb) the projected net loss in the industry of the present value of original equipment manufacturers after adoption of the standard; (cc) the projected consumer payback period and life cycle cost savings after adoption of the standard; (dd) a determination of whether the standard is economically justified, based solely on the definition of energy under section 321); and (ee) other common economic principles. (III) The advisory group described in subclause (I) reviews the analysis and determines whether a nationwide requirement of a condensing furnace efficiency standard is technically feasible and economically justified. (IV) The final determination of the advisory group under subclause (III) is published in the Federal Register. (ii) Amended standards If the advisory group determines under clause (i)(III) that a nationwide requirement of a condensing furnace efficiency standard is not technically feasible and economically justified, the Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after the date on which the final determination of the advisory group is published in the Federal Register under clause (i)(IV), establish amended standards through the negotiated rulemaking procedure provided for under subchapter III of chapter 5 Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990 .

Summary: This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prohibit the Department of Energy (DOE) from prescribing a final rule amending the efficiency standards for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces or mobile home furnaces until each of the following has occurred: DOE convenes a representative advisory group of interested stakeholders, the advisory group completes an analysis of a nationwide requirement of a condensing furnace efficiency standard, the advisory group determines whether that standard is technically feasible and economically justified, and the determination is published in the Federal Register. If the advisory group determines that the standard is not technically feasible and economically justified, DOE must establish amended standards through the negotiated rulemaking procedure provided for under the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990.