Central ND News

WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, together with Senator Ted Cruz, has introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the U.S. Department of Energy's final rule on gas furnace efficiency standards. The Biden administration's rule, which is set to take effect on February 16, 2024, mandates that manufacturers only sell furnaces that convert at least 95% of fuel into heat. This would effectively ban all non-condensing furnace models, forcing many American households to either switch to electric heat pumps or undertake costly renovations to meet the new requirements of residential gas furnaces.

"The Biden administration is once again putting their Green New Deal agenda before consumers and everyday Americans," said Senator Hoeven. "Our CRA will stop the Biden DOE's rule, which is a de facto ban on the sale of conventional, more affordable natural gas furnaces, and ensure that consumers continue to have the option to use these furnaces."

The resolution, which has garnered support from a number of senators including James Risch, Cynthia Lummis, and John Kennedy, aims to prevent the implementation of the Biden administration's rule. It has also received support from Representatives Michelle Fischbach and Pat Fallon in the House of Representatives.

This move comes as concerns rise about the potential implications of the new rule. Critics argue that it will impose unnecessary financial burdens on American households, forcing them to either switch to more expensive electric heat pumps or invest thousands of dollars in home renovations. They believe that the decision to ban non-condensing furnace models is an overreach by the government and limits consumer choice.

By introducing this resolution, Senator Hoeven and his colleagues are seeking to ensure that consumers can continue to have access to conventional, more affordable natural gas furnaces. They argue that the government should not dictate the type of heating systems that Americans can use and that consumers should have the freedom to choose the option that best suits their needs and budgets.

The resolution of disapproval has gained significant support from other senators and representatives who share the concerns raised by Senator Hoeven. By joining forces, they hope to block the implementation of the Biden administration's rule and protect the interests of American consumers.

The full text of the resolution can be found here for those interested in reviewing the details of the proposed legislation.

In the coming weeks, the resolution will undergo further consideration and debate in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. It remains to be seen whether this effort to block the Biden administration's residential gas furnace rule will be successful, but the introduction of the resolution signals a strong pushback against what some see as an overreach of government regulation in the energy sector.