ESC Residential Consortium Minutes 101019

ESC Residential Consortium Minutes from October 10, 2019 Meeting was called to order at 2:04 pm Eastern Time Attendance: Black Hills Energy Marshall Moody CenterPoint Energy Cynthia Meshell CenterPoint Energy Jim Tilley CenterPoint Energy Kathryn Knudson DTE Energy Rosana Laurain New Jersey Natural Gas Craig Trautweiler NW Natural Carollyn Farrar NW Natural John Frankel ONE Gas Lyn Leet Semco Energy Cindie Erwin Semco Energy Rachelle Adamczyk Socal Joe Shiau Southern Co Corey Minshew UGI Kim Geder Vectren (CenterPoint) Gerry Jones DOE Minimum Efficiencies: Update on the AGA, APGA, NGSA, NPGA and Spire Joint Petition Requesting that DOE Establish Separate Product Classes for Gas Fired Furnaces, Water Heaters. The petition provided support for changes in the DOE minimum efficiency product classes for vented gas-fired space and water heating appliances that would establish different product classes based on whether the products were non-condensing types or condensing types. The reason for the request was the potential elimination of natural draft venting appliances (incorrectly referred to as “Non-condensing appliances”) due to imposing higher federal minimum efficiency standards and the inability to substitute power vented appliances (referred to as “condensing appliances”) to use the existing venting systems. The latest updates are: On July 11, 2019 DOE issued a request for comments to its response to the “gas company petition” proposing that it revise its interpretation that the “features” provision in the federal law did not apply in this case. DOE now believes that setting a minimum efficiency standard at levels that could not be met by “non-condensing appliances” would result in the unavailability of a performance related feature. DOE based this on 4 factors” The likely expense of needing to replace or modify venting systems Potential physical changes in appliance installations affecting consumer interactions with the product/equipment DOE’s interest I remaining “fuel neutral” and not promoting fuel switching The concern that affordability, especially for low-income consumers, would be negatively affected. However, DOE continued to state that it has not made and does not propose making any changes with respect to condensing and non-condensing equipment. The AGA BECS committee observe that the DOE and other industry interests are missing that venting systems are part of the built environment and not part of the covered product. DOE wrongly concludes that the differentiation of gas furnaces into separate categories is an issue of consumer economics and a potential sacrifice to purchasing power. On September 9, 2019 AGA and a coalition of stakeholders responded to the July 11 request. That filing argues that DOE should identify separate product classes for vented gas-fired heating and water heating appliances and should withdraw its proposed standards for some of those products due to the need to “re-do” the economic and technical analysis to support any changes. NIST Study: An analysis performed by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) was published in the September issue of the Journal Of Building Engineering is a refreshing welcome to all of the electrification news that has been published. This study shows that under current full fuel cycle emissions and energy costs 2 identical and comparable homes using either natural gas or electric for space heating and water heating purposes that the home using natural gas will realize economic and environmental advantages. There has been little research done that examined the impact of which fuel source is used. The analysis covered a 30-year timeframe. The NIST researchers do state that with changes to energy prices and grid electric emissions in the future the results may change. ASHRAE also covered this topic in their May 30th issue of HVAC&R News stating that “gas is more energy-efficient than electricity for heating and cooling needs.” The NIST study is an important counterpoint to electrification policies on energy efficiency and environmental issues. In addition, congressional testimony cited the NIST study and was used to ask for feedback on whether the use of natural gas to replace energy systems in aging federal buildings should be increased. The Green Buildings Initiatives noted that they also use a source energy concept when assessing building efficiency and usage. It is important that these issues are brought to the attention of public policy makers. This was also covered in the October 2019 issue of the American Gas magazine. If you want to read more about the NIST study, please follow this link: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2019/05/gas-vs-electric-nist-says-fuel-choice-affects-efforts-achieve-low-energy Standard 62.2, Addendum “A”: ASHRAE has halted the ban on unvented gas-fired heating appliances. Through their BoD, ASHRAE has recommended disapproval of a publication of Standard 62.2. Addendum “a”, which would have banned the unvented gas-fired combustion heating appliances. This measure was opposed by AGA, APGA, NPGA, HPBA and the Vent-Free Gas Products Alliance of AHRI. AGA’s comments focused on general criticisms of ASHRAE as a technical society in developing this Addendum and their failure to address substantive comments. Open Discussion: Marshall Moody, BHE, asked if an article on the NIST study could be included in the next issue of Natural Living. While the magazine has been sent to the publisher for article completion, Barb said she would try to get some mention of the NIST study in the next issue. Jim Tilley, CenterPoint Energy, asked if a message was being developed so members could respond to electrification discussions in their respective service territories. Barb mentioned that there has been discussion of a message and she would keep everyone apprised. She also reminded everyone to tune into next week’s webinar, courtesy of Ted Williams at AGA, on natural gas cooking and emissions. This is in response to some negatively publicity that natural gas cooking has been receiving. Barb also mentioned that the CO tool was in the process of getting a facelift; stay tuned! The meeting was adjourned at 2:25 PM.