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WASHINGTON - John Somerhalder, chairman, president, and CEO of AGL Resources and past chairman of the American Gas Association (AGA), recently testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommit - tee on Energy and Power commend - ing four specific legislative provisions included in the committee's energy-efficiency and accountability discus - sion draft designed to remove barriers to the use of clean, energy-efficient, cost-effective natural gas.
In March, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed a rule man - dating natural gas furnaces must be manufactured to meet a 92 percent or higher energy-efficiency specifica - tion. At first glance, the rule appears to be a positive step forward for energy efficiency, but Somerhalder argued the DOE's proposal may create a number of counterproductive and unintended consequences that could increase energy use and impose an undue burden on consumers....