Written on: July 22, 2026 by ICM
The National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI) has joined a Coalition Letter in support of revised Home Energy Rebate guidance.
Eight national heating fuel and home comfort associations praised restoration of fuel neutrality in State-administered rebate programs. The revised guidance, issued on May 29, replaced the Biden Administration’s electrification-focused rules and restores fuel neutrality to the State-administered IRA rebate programs. Specifically, the new rules prohibit use of these rebates to force households off heating oil, propane, and natural gas. The rules also prioritize weatherization, so that rebates first reduce a home’s overall energy use before installing HVAC equipment, and permit homeowners to keep their existing heating system when installing a heat pump.
The coalition sponsoring the letter represents heating oil and propane marketers, natural gas utilities, plumbing and HVAC contractors, and hearth and HVAC appliance and equipment manufacturers and distributors.
In the letter, the coalition notes, “Above all, it promotes affordability by focusing on measures that actually lower a household’s energy use and protects reliability at a moment when the grid is under mounting strain.”
The U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) is currently drafting final documents to implement this guidance, so this letter is well timed, noted NEFI. States that have already launched IRA home energy rebate programs must comply with the revised guidance by the end of August. Those still finalizing their programs must incorporate the new guidance before they roll out.
The full letter can be read here.
