Recent News
admin October 17, 2023
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a final rule that limits the duration and the scope of regulatory relief provided in emergency declarations under 49 CFR §390.23....
admin October 12, 2023
NEFI has learned that some states are proposing to require that the existing heating system be removed - or otherwise made inoperable – in order for a home to qualify for an IRA heat pump rebate....
admin October 12, 2023
The Environmental Protection Agency has released its Climate Enforcement and Compliance Strategy to address climate change via increased enforcement activities. This means that the agency's enforcement office will (1) prioritize enforcement and compliance actions to mitigate climate change; (2) include climate adaptation and resilience in case conclusions whenever appropriate; and (3) provide technical assistance to achieve climate-related solutions and build climate change capacity among EPA staff and our state and local partners....
admin October 12, 2023
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced the most restrictive offshore oil and gas leasing plan ever last week. It proposes only three lease sales through 2029, the bare minimum under federal law. This sparked pointed criticism from the energy sector and members of Congress, including from within the President's own party. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Chair Joe Manchin said "it makes no sense at all to actively be limiting our energy production while our adversaries are weaponizing energy around the world." He called it a "failure of leadership" and promised "to do everything in my power to hold this Administration accountable."...
admin October 12, 2023
Governors from 25 states have collectively pledged to install at least 20 million heat pumps by 2030, with the aim of "ensuring at least 40% of benefits flow to disadvantaged communities." If carried out, the pledge would effectively quadruple the number of heat pumps in use throughout constituent states....
admin October 12, 2023
The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a notice that it is adopting the Department of Energy's categorical exclusion of electric vehicle charging stations under the National Environmental Policy Act to use in DOT programs and funding opportunities administered by DOT. This means that a project involving EV charging stations will not be subject to an environmental impact statement, an environmental assessment, or other environmental review under NEPA....
admin October 12, 2023
Last week, NEFI attended two important hearings in the U.S. House of Representatives on home energy and consumer choice. These hearings were held as the Biden Administration is advancing numerous policies through several agencies that aim to restrict access to non-electric home appliances, including furnaces and boilers....
admin October 12, 2023
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Sets Forth Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements for Federal Tax Deductions for Commercial Building Efficiency Improvements and Certain Other IRA Tax Incentives...
admin October 12, 2023
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has published guidance for contractors and homeowners with respect to the new federal tax credit for a qualified home energy audit. The amount of the credit is 30% of the cost of the audit, up to a maximum of $150. This new credit is part of a broader list of home efficiency tax credits offered under Section 25C of the Internal Revenue Code, as modified by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022....
admin October 12, 2023
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has published a set of Frequently Asked Questions on the agency's hazardous materials incident reporting regulations in 49 CFR §171.15 and §171.16....
admin October 12, 2023
NEFI's Jim Collura was recently asked to join a panel of industry regulator experts for a pre-meeting event at the 2023 Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) legislative conference....
admin August 10, 2023
On Friday, the U.S. DOE issued a lengthy proposal to revise the efficiency standards for residential water heaters. It aims to “accelerate deployment” of electric heat pump water heaters and require higher efficiency ratings for all other water heater models. If the rule is finalized and survives court challenges, the changes would take effect in 2029....
admin August 10, 2023
In a surprise move, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released guidance to assist states in rolling-out new federally funded rebate programs for residential electrification and efficiency improvements. The announcement comes despite a recent letter from the DOE notifying states the rebate guidance would be delayed. Among the documents released is a 100-page list of requirements that State energy offices must follow in drafting implementation plans for the two rebate programs. States must now begin work writing their plans, which are required to be submitted to the DOE before they can receive funding and begin offering the rebates....
admin August 09, 2023
Today’s world is becoming increasingly more divided and those of us in the PHCP/PVF industry are not at all shielded from the divisiveness by living and working within our own bubble....
admin June 26, 2023
On Thursday, June 22, NEFI along with its industry partners submitted formal responses to the U.S. EPA's proposal to exclude furnaces and central air conditioners from the ENERGY STAR program....