March ’24 at-a-glance … energy

Grassroots efforts advocating for no new CRE standard  

NAFEM is asking members to reach out to their elected officials to request that DOE issue a “no-new standard” via NAFEM’s new Advocacy Action Center. These efforts, which launched earlier this month, support comments NAFEM submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in December about proposed energy-efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration equipment (CRE). These proposed regulations are unnecessarily burdensome and will increase costs for manufacturers and the foodservice industry.  

Add your business address to the Action Center and it will identify your elected officials. You can then send them a message drafted by NAFEM or a customized message with your company’s experience, which is even more effective.  

NAFEM also is spearheading a sign-on letter with support from other trade organizations, targeted to leaders of the Energy and House Commerce Committee and Energy and Senate Natural Resources Committee. The letter points out the burdensome nature of the proposed standards and encourages them to intervene with DOE. “Our industry supports, and will continue to support, energy-efficiency regulations that are tethered to technological and economic reality. DOE’s proposed standards are neither,” the letter said.  

If approved as currently drafted, the proposed standards would take effect in late 2027. 

DOE publishes WIC/F data, seeks comments 

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published updated data on the energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers/freezers proposed in its September 2023 notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR). The agency revised its analysis following comments received on the NOPR, including those from NAFEM. Comments on the revised data are due April 15. 

Best practices in database enforcement shared with states 

Northeast Energy Enforcement Partnerships (NEEP) provided information on enforcement to the states that participate in its State Appliance Standards Database (SASD). Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island require SASD registration for commercial dishwashers, fryers, steam cookers, ovens and hot food holding cabinets. Numerous other states also require registration with SASD for products outside of the commercial food service equipment and supplies industry. States may issue financial penalties for products sold within their borders that don’t meet minimum energy-efficiency levels.