The US Department of Energy (DOE) has embarked on what it claims is the largest deregulatory effort in its history, proposing the elimination or reduction of 47 regulations that it blames for driving up costs.
The actions include the proposed elimination or modification to dozens of consumer appliance standards, regulations limiting building and energy production, and “unscientific” DEI requirements for grant recipients. The DOE has estimated the changes will save $11bn.
On the gas side, the changes include: streamlining administrative procedures with the import and export of natural gas; rescinding energy conservation standards for automatic commercial ice makers; rescinding reporting requirements, certification, independent verification and DOE review for voluntary greenhouse gas reporting; and withdrawing miscellaneous gas products ‘as a covered product’.
The actions are in accordance with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order named ‘Zero-Based Regulation to Unleash American Energy’.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said, “We are bringing back common sense – slashing regulations meant to appease Green New Deal fantasies, restrict consumer choice, and increase costs for the American people.”
Earlier this month, US federal agency The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced it is considering updating its decades-old regulations for liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities.
The regulatory upgrade would coincide with the new administration’s push to fast-track new LNG infrastructure projects, expand export capacity and grow the small-scale LNG market.
