DOE Tweaks Energy Rulemaking Process Details
Published Date: 7/7/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Energy is updating how it sets and reviews energy-saving rules for products like appliances and industrial equipment. These changes include clearer steps, new definitions, and economic checks to make sure energy savings really matter. If you make or sell these products, or just care about saving energy, you can share your thoughts by August 6, 2026, and join a free webinar on July 15 to learn more.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Protecting Consumer Choice for Appliances
DOE proposes adding an Objectives section that says it will preserve the availability of product features, sizes, capacities, and reliability that are generally available in the U.S., and to protect consumers' freedom to choose goods like lightbulbs, dishwashers, washing machines, gas stoves, water heaters, toilets, and shower heads. The proposal also says DOE will report global effects of rules separately from domestic costs and benefits and will promote public comment and peer-reviewed analysis.
Reinstating Energy-Savings Thresholds
DOE proposes to add a formal definition of "significant energy savings" and to reinstate a threshold that will determine when DOE updates or issues new efficiency standards. The document notes that the February 2020 Process Rule previously used a threshold of 0.3 quads or 10-percent site savings over 30 years, and that later rules removed that threshold.
Tougher Proof for Raising ASHRAE Equipment Rules
DOE proposes to re-instate its comparative "walk up" analysis across trial standard levels and to re-instate the requirement of "clear and convincing evidence" when DOE seeks to set standards above ASHRAE Standard 90.1 levels for covered equipment. That means DOE would require stronger demonstration before choosing standards higher than industry ASHRAE levels.
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Key Dates
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