Standards and Legislation

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The court’s actions officially ends the two-plus year legal battle between the DOE and several organizations, including HARDI, AHRI, and ACCA.

From atop the Hay-Adams hotel overlooking the White House, attendees took in presentations and discussed the regulatory and legislative issues affecting the industry before heading to Capitol Hill, where they interacted directly with members of Congress.

Several industry leaders recently met with politicians from British Columbia, Canada, to discuss progress on the stewardship plan for HVACR and plumbing products under BC Regulation 449.

The bill faces an uphill battle as the tumultuous political climate of an election year threatens to stall the bill yet again.

The settlement agreement, which now awaits court approval, would vacate the regional furnace efficiency standards and restart the rulemaking process, this time giving stakeholders more opportunities to provide input throughout the rulemaking process. 

The Geothermal Exchange Organization is continuing to concentrate its lobbying efforts on including geothermal in federal and state definitions of renewable energy.

The pilot project, one of two binational pilots launched in July, is focused on new or emerging product areas where neither standards nor regulations currently exist.

The settlement agreement, which now awaits court approval, would vacate the regional furnace efficiency standards and also give the industry an 18-month sell-through period to comply with the Jan. 1, 2015, efficiency standards for split-system air conditioners.

While a previous court document identified March 3 as the last day for the expected filing of a settlement in the ongoing regional standards lawsuit, it appears the judicial system may need a few extra days.

Tuesday's motion suspends all court proceedings until March 3 to accommodate pending mediation.