AGA Applauds the Introduction of the Energy Efficiency Reform Act
As energy affordability remains a top concern for households and businesses across the country, protecting consumer choice has become an increasingly important part of the conversation. Americans deserve access to appliances that best fit their needs, budgets and lifestyles, while continuing to benefit from meaningful improvements in energy efficiency.
That is why AGA applauds U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Mike Lee’s (R-UT) introduction of the Energy Efficiency Reform Act of 2026, legislation that would reform the appliance standards program under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
What is the Energy Efficiency Reform Act of 2026
The legislation seeks to restore EPCA’s original intent by requiring future federal appliance efficiency standards to be both technically feasible and economically justified before they take effect.
Under previous administrations, the appliance standards rulemaking process shifted away from EPCA’s original intent, leading to proposals that could have eliminated widely used natural gas appliances while increasing costs for consumers and businesses.
The Energy Efficiency Reform Act would help ensure that future appliance standards remain focused on improving energy efficiency while preserving consumer choice and access to affordable, reliable natural gas appliances.
Why This Matters Now
While many household utility costs continue to rise, residential natural gas bills have remained comparatively stable over time, even after adjusting for inflation. Today, natural gas continues to provide significant affordability and efficiency benefits for American households:
- The average natural gas bill is 15% lower today than in 2022, and inflation-adjusted average natural gas bills could be 25% lower than in 2022 by the end of next year according to DOE forecasts of natural gas prices and use
- Natural gas appliances save households an average of $1,030 per year when compared to electricity
- Efficient natural gas appliances are expected to cut home greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40%
AGA has long supported appliance efficiency standards that are technically feasible, economically justified and deliver real energy savings. Consumers should not have to choose between affordability, efficiency and reliability. Policies can support all three while preserving the flexibility for Americans to select the appliances that best meet their needs.
Read more about the Energy Efficiency Reform Act here.