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APGA Speaks at Southern Gas Association Conference

By Dave Schryver posted 03-16-2017 01:53 PM

  
On March 14, Dave Schryver, APGA’s Executive Vice President, spoke at the Southern Gas Association Spring Gas Conference and Expo held in Charlotte, N.C.  The meeting was very well attended by representatives from natural gas systems, both public and investor-owned, and others in the natural gas industry.  In his address to the Sales & Marketing Seminar, Dave discussed the benefits that the direct-use of natural gas provides and the challenges direct-use has faced over the last several years. 
 
Dave discussed concerns that APGA has raised in regard to the proposed furnace rule released last year.  The proposed rule would establish a residential furnace nationwide mandate of 92 annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) with a small furnace exemption for furnaces of 55,000 Btu or less.  Furnaces under the small furnace exemption would be allowed to be non-condensing; while all furnaces above that threshold would have to be condensing. Because of the difference in combustion technology, condensing furnaces have additional venting requirements associated that add significant dollars to the cost of installation.  APGA has maintained that the additional venting requirements associated with replacing a non-condensing natural gas furnace with a condensing furnace will push many residential customers—particularly those in warmer climates—to purchase and install less efficient home heating alternatives with potentially higher greenhouse gas emissions and higher monthly utility bills.  Dave also provided an overview of what to expect on energy issues during the Trump Administration.
 
For questions on this article, please contact Dave Schryver of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-2742 or by email at dschryver@apga.org.       
 

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