WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the withdrawal of the determination of miscellaneous gas products as a covered consumer product under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). This action is yet another step toward President Trump’s pledge to lower costs for the American people by expanding choice and cutting red tape. By withdrawing this rule, DOE will exempt miscellaneous gas products—a category that includes decorative hearths and outdoor heaters—from a range of unnecessary regulations on their manufacture and sale.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy is returning to common sense – and that means giving the American people the ability to choose which heaters they use in their own backyards,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. “To date, rescinding or delaying unnecessary consumer regulations such as this have saved the taxpayers nearly $24 billion – and we’re just getting started.”
“Previous DOE rulemaking on this subject lumped together several products that are dissimilar in form and function, subjecting manufacturers to an awkward and unnecessary regulatory framework,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Lou Hrkman said. “By withdrawing the previous determination and repealing these unclear definitions, the Trump Administration is sending a clear signal that these markets will be allowed to thrive without fear of undue government interference.”
Prior to today’s action, miscellaneous gas products were classified as covered products under Part A of Title III of the EPCA, and therefore potentially subject to burdensome standards for energy conservation. The withdrawal of this classification, along with the repeal of the definitions for “miscellaneous gas products,” “decorative hearth product,” and “outdoor heater” from the Code of Federal Regulations, will allow the market for these products to freely develop without needing to account for new conservation standards from DOE.
In addition to today’s action, DOE has officially withdrawn four proposed conservation standards, simplified its water-conservation standards by repealing a convoluted definition of “showerhead,” requested public comment on measures that would deregulate the market for portable electric spas, and further delayed the implementation of efficiency standards for manufactured housing, walk-in coolers and freezers, efficiency standards for gas instantaneous water heaters and commercial refrigeration equipment, and test procedures for central air conditioning and heat pumps. DOE is also soliciting public feedback on changes to the rulemaking process for conservation standards that would reduce costs and restore freedom for consumers and manufacturers alike.
The effective date of this final rule is 30 days after publishing in the Federal Register. For further details, read the full text of the final rule.
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