ESC Residential Consortium Minutes 050919

ESC Residential Consortium Minutes from May 9, 2019 Meeting was called to order at 2:03 pm Eastern Time Attendance: Black Hills Energy Scott Zaruba CenterPoint Energy Ryan Duggan Columbia Gas Devin Litten Columbia Gas Patty Potvin Columbia Gas Brandon Sweaney Eversouce Thomas O'Rourke Eversource Eric de Lacoste Municipal Gas Authority of GA Chris Strippelhoff National Fuel Marti Sawyer National Fuel Ashley Butera NW Natural Carollyn Farrar NW Natural John Frankel Semco Energy Rachelle Adamczyk Semco Energy Michelle Levin South Jersey Gas Michele Lamb South Jersey Gas Brittany Lombardi Southeast Gas Shannon Jackson Southern Co Marie Laporte Southern Co Kent Stafford Teco-Peoples Michelle Bozman UGI Kim Geder TMAF: Barb reminded everyone that there is still time to registration for the next TMAF. The location is Montreal, CA at the Hotel Omni Mont-Royal; from June 4 – 6. Don’t be alarmed when you see the rate for the hotel, it is stated in Canadian currency. Barb noted that there will also be a foodservice track at the Montreal TMAF. You can register by following this link: https://www.energysolutionscenter.org/events/technology_market_assessment_forum.aspx Natural Living: Barb noted that the order form for the fall issue of Natural Living is now posted on the ESC site. This issue is scheduled to ship by July 19th; orders are due no later than June 28. This new time frame will enable hard copies to be available for fall builder shows. Order forms can be found here: https://www.energysolutionscenter.org/magazines_reports/natural_living_magazine.aspx?F_Category=15 DOE: Update on the AGA, APGA, NGSA, NPGA and Spire Joint Petition Requesting that DOE Establish Separate Product Classes for Gas Fired Furnaces, Water Heaters, etc. : The petition provided support for changes in the DOE minimum efficiency product classes for vented gas fired space and water heating appliances and equipment that would establish different product classes based on whether the products are non-condensing types or condensing types. The petition requested: That the DOE issue an interpretive rule confirming that energy conservation standards effectively limiting the market for natural gas and/or propane gas (“fuel gas”) furnaces or water heaters to products using condensing combustion technology would result in the unavailability of “performance characteristics” within the meaning of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 Withdraw its proposed standards for residential furnaces and commercial water heaters There were a total of 59 comments received; 60% were for the recommendations suggested by AGA, et al, and 40% were against or not relevant. We are waiting for the DOE to issue a final ruling. Northwest Natural Furnace Conversion Incentive Campaign: Carollyn Farrar, Northwest Natural, shared the specifics of their Furnace Conversion Incentive Program. They have been running this program for several years and have enjoyed a great deal of success with this program. The webinar was recorded for those who could not attend today’s meeting. The recording can be viewed by following this link: https://www.energysolutionscenter.org/consortia/residential_burner_tip_consortium_business1.aspx The meeting was adjourned following Shannon’s presentation and after all questions were answered. Any additional questions can be directed to Carollyn at c2f@nwnatural.com