Thirteen AGs Filed Comments on Energy Department’s Efficiency Program Priorities

MARCH 11, 2021

New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 13 attorneys general in filing comments urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to “act expeditiously to minimize the harm that has resulted” from the prior administration’s undermining of the federal appliance efficiency program, including by taking “all necessary steps to suspend, revise, rescind or vacate” a host of retrograde rules. Noting that DOE “now finds itself far behind” numerous deadlines under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, the AGs called on the department to “direct its resources toward promptly meeting its statutory duty to review and update energy efficiency standards.” The coalition urged the department to prioritize product classes that “present the greatest opportunity for energy savings, lowering utility costs and reducing air pollutant emissions,” which include residential water heaters, washers, dryers, refrigerators and freezers, as well as commercial fans, air conditioners, heat pumps and electric motors.