AGA applauds Congressman Langworthy introduction of Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act
WASHINGTON – The American Gas Association applauded the introduction of the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act by Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) on Wednesday to repeal Section 433 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. As most recently implemented by the U.S. Department of Energy, Section 433 would ban on-site natural gas use from all new and renovated federal buildings beginning in 2030.
“We commend Congressman Langworthy and all of the cosponsors who recognize natural gas is the most reliable and affordable form of energy in the United States today – it’s our nation’s strategic advantage,” said AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert. “The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act would preserve vital resiliency in our national infrastructure to ensure operability in high-stakes moments, protect our national security and deliver life essential energy to mission critical federal and military facilities across our nation.”
This misguided law fails to recognize the crucial role natural gas plays at federal facilities. From providing resilient backup cogeneration during outages, to enabling energy intensive work at national labs, veterans’ hospitals and military facilities, on-site natural gas use is an efficient source of energy that delivers the reliability our nation needs.
Natural gas utilities spend $1.5 billion on efficiency programs every year to save 1.7 million metric tons of carbon – the equivalent of removing 424,000 cars from the road. Energy efficiency technologies and programs play a foundational role in creating a more reliable, affordable and sustainable energy system for the United States, and natural gas has played a critical role in forwarding this mission.
Contrary to its stated purpose, implementation of Section 433 under the current rule would increase overall energy consumption by 29,000,000 MMBtu and likely raise greenhouse gas emissions from federal buildings as a result, according to DOE’s analysis of the final rule.
Removal of natural gas from federal buildings would also increase costs for the federal government and taxpayers while decreasing reliability of our federal infrastructure. Natural gas is 3.5 times more affordable than electricity and expected to remain more affordable through at least 2050. Requiring federal facilities to move to the exclusive use of electricity will drive up costs while forcing federal facilities to rely on an electric grid already facing capacity constraints.