On August 21, ASHRAE President Sarah Maston sent a comment letter to the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding a proposed rulemaking to update its Process Rule. The proposed rule would revise the procedures DOE must follow when developing future energy conservation standards for certain appliances and equipment under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). DOE’s proposal would reinstate provisions from the 2020 Process Rule applicable to ASHRAE equipment, which clarify how the department will rely on ASHRAE Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings when updating or amending energy conservation standards for ASHRAE covered equipment. ASHRAE’s comments support DOE’s proposed changes and provide feedback on the department’s proposal to establish a minimum energy savings threshold for determining whether to pursue updates to equipment standards. The letter can be found here.