Latest news with #Rinnai
Associated Press
25-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Rinnai Urges Lawmakers to Protect American Jobs and Consumers from Harmful DOE Rule
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rinnai America Corporation, a leading North American manufacturer of innovative, energy-efficient tankless water heaters, is urging lawmakers to take action to protect American manufacturing, jobs and consumer choice. Vote YES on the CRA SJ Res 4 Rinnai's appeal comes as the U.S. Senate considers the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution SJ Res 4, critical to overturning a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that would effectively ban non-condensing tankless water heaters. The Impact of the DOE's Proposed Rule This regulation threatens hundreds of American manufacturing jobs at Rinnai's state-of-the-art facility in Griffin, Georgia, a $70 million investment in U.S. manufacturing. Passing the CRA would protect these jobs and safeguard diverse and competitive employment opportunities in manufacturing. Preserving Energy Efficiency & Consumer Choice Rinnai's non-condensing tankless water heaters are up to 50% more efficient than traditional storage tank models, ensuring consumers have access to energy-efficient options that reduce long-term costs and energy use. The DOE's rule would limit consumer choice and market competition, favoring larger tank manufacturers at the expense of innovation and efficiency. If non-condensing models are banned, 80% of consumers would likely switch to less efficient storage tank models, undermining the DOE's energy efficiency goals. Lowering Costs for American Families The DOE's regulation threatens to increase costs for American families. Consumers will face an additional $665 per unit, plus up to $1,000 in installation costs. This translates to a $235 million annual cost increase passed directly onto consumers, disproportionately impacting low-income and senior households. Voting yes means protecting American families from unnecessary financial strain and ensuring affordable energy solutions. The Importance of Supporting U.S. Manufacturing Rinnai's commitment to U.S. manufacturing stands in stark contrast to many competitors that choose to manufacture products abroad. This creates an uneven playing field with long-term economic and environmental consequences for the U.S. manufacturing sector. Rinnai's investment in Georgia strengthens American manufacturing and ensures the U.S. remains competitive on the global stage. Rinnai's Call to Action Rinnai calls on the U.S. Senate to urgently pass the Congressional Review Act resolution and overturn the DOE's harmful regulation. Supporting the CRA will: Protect U.S. jobs and manufacturing investment Prevent unnecessary cost increases for American families Ensure continued progress on energy efficiency Preserve consumer choice and market competition About Rinnai: Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances, including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances, and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and has the highest efficiency of any tankless water heater brand in the United States and Canada. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $3.3 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating a healthier way of living®. For more information about Rinnai's entire product line, visit Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Rinnai® and Creating a healthier way of living® are the registered trademarks of Rinnai Corporation used under license by Rinnai America Corporation.
Politico
18-03-2025
- Business
- Politico
Sacramento's gas fight flares up again
With help from Alex Nieves, Camille von Kaenel, Ry Rivard and Blanca Begert FOOT ON THE GAS: Gas appliances may be going from a culture-war topic to a player in California's affordability debate. Appliance makers who have been fighting local bans on natural gas stoves, water heaters and other devices are now thinking about taking that fight to the ballot. The Japanese manufacturer Rinnai, which makes gas devices including tankless water heaters, and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, of which Rinnai is a member, commissioned a poll in late January to gauge public sentiment and found that cost-of-living arguments particularly resonated. Asked about a measure to 'protect Californians' option to use natural gas for heating, hot water and cooking,' 67 percent of likely voters in the new poll said they would definitely or probably support it, compared with 18 percent who would definitely or probably oppose it. The poll comes after a number of skirmishes on the state and federal levels. Berkeley repealed its ban on natural gas hookups in new homes last year after a suit from the California Restaurant Association and other groups. Assemblymember Gail Pellerin proposed a bill last year that would have required labels on gas stoves warning of the potential health risks they pose, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed it. Bans and efforts to discourage the use of natural gas have drawn criticism from unexpected corners. A proposed tax on natural gas in Berkeley that ultimately failed at the ballot last November drew vocal opposition from local mainstays in the food and dining industry, like Berkeley Bowl and Boichik Bagels. But now appliance manufacturers are merging the issue with the cost-of-living arguments that are sweeping Sacramento in the wake of President Donald Trump's victory. The poll also tested a set of arguments for a potential measure, the strongest of which was about the cost to consumers: that it would be too expensive for many people to replace gas appliances. Eighty-six percent said they agreed with that statement. The issue is a live one: Of those surveyed, 88 percent said they own or regularly use gas-powered appliances, and 71 percent said bans on these appliances would have a very or somewhat significant impact on them. The Legislature has the power to ban local-level restrictions on gas-powered appliances, but companies don't see a bill that would address their concerns. One, AB 1238 from Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, would prevent restrictions on gas stoves specifically, but doesn't speak to other gas-powered appliances. Beyond the ballot question, the polling could be a potent tool to convince lawmakers to get on board. The polling, and the potential look at the ballot, comes as leaders in the Legislature say their focus this year is on keeping Californians' cost of living from ballooning. California should 'evaluate alternative paths that balance environmental objectives with economic realities,' Rinnai wrote in a letter to the California Air Resources Board last year over new proposed emissions standards for space and water heaters, 'aiming for a more inclusive and practical approach to reducing emissions.' — ES Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here! FACT SHEET FRACAS: California air regulators and car dealers are in a war of fact sheets. The California New Car Dealers Association, which is spearheading a campaign to freeze the state's electric vehicle sales mandate, released a four-page rebuttal on Friday to a California Air Resources Board fact sheet that called industry arguments 'misleading' and a false narrative. Car dealers say CARB is the one being misleading. 'CARB's fact sheet cherry-picks data, ignores real-world market dynamics, and relies on overly optimistic projections,' the rebuttal reads. The tit-for-tat started last month after CNCDA launched the campaign, which has picked up support from groups like the California Chamber of Commerce and Western Propane Gas Association. Car dealers warn that the state's EV sales mandate is too aggressive and that manufacturers could reduce supplies of gas cars — increasing prices — to stay in compliance. CARB Chair Liane Randolph called that possibility an unrealistic 'doomsday scenario' in an exclusive interview with POLITICO, saying that the Advanced Clean Cars II rule includes flexibilities to help car companies hit their goals. 'This campaign continues to mislead by ignoring California's longstanding relationship with automakers, the ample flexibility built into our regulations and the economic reality of the global vehicle market which is accelerating toward a zero-emission future,' she said in a statement Friday. — AN CHUCK AND WALLOW: The White House sowed confusion over Trump's plans for two newly created national monuments in California over the weekend. Former President Joe Biden designated the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands national monuments in January, protecting nearly a million acres in California's southeastern desert and northeastern forests, respectively, from energy and housing development. A White House fact sheet accompanying Trump's order on Friday to roll back some of Biden's executive actions included a line about rescinding unnamed national monuments — only for the line to be removed a day later. The New York Times and the Washington Post reported over the weekend that Trump would seek to roll back Chuckwalla and Sáttítla, citing a White House source. Targeting the two monuments, whether by shrinking them or explicitly reversing their designations, would likely lead to a drawn-out court battle, as Heather Richards, Scott Streater and Jennifer Yachnin report for POLITICO's E&E News. And while removing environmental protections from public lands has fans among Congressional Republicans, it's already upsetting at least one California Republican: Assemblymember Greg Wallis, whose San Bernardino and Riverside County district includes parts of Chuckwalla. 'I hope the Trump Administration doesn't alter Chuckwalla National Monument,' Wallis said in a statement Saturday. 'Chuckwalla is extremely popular across the political spectrum and was advocated for by a large, bipartisan coalition. Our local communities know that safeguarding our desert is good for the economy and is smart for the well-being of generations to come.' — CvK A NEW MOU: Newsom's administration signed an agreement today to cooperate on clean energy and trade with the Mexican state of Sonora, casting it as a contrast to Trump's tariff policies. While the details are still murky, Newsom and Sonora Gov. Alfonso Durazo Montaño agreed to strengthen economic ties between the two states and work to develop renewable energy, resilient supply chains, and clean transportation. 'The conversation, Mr. Governor, we just had, I think, illuminated that contrast, the relationship to Sonora, the relationship to California, our relationship to this moment, and our relationship to the moments that are being advanced in Washington, D.C.,' Newsom said. 'There couldn't be a greater contrast.' — BB NEW NJ BILL: New Jersey lawmakers are working on a corporate emissions-disclosure bill in the style of California's SB 253. S-4117 would require businesses in New Jersey with more than $1 billion in annual revenue to eventually disclose all of their emissions — Scopes 1, 2 and 3. It passed the state's Senate Environment and Energy Committee today. — RR TOGETHER AROUND THE FIRE: Fire techies are claiming a win after the launch and connection of their first prototype satellite to detect wildfires this weekend aboard one of Elon Musk's SpaceX's missions. The effort is creating rare political alignment, bringing together as partners Google, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and satellite manufacturer Muon Space. The ultimate goal is a constellation of satellites providing real-time data on wildfires from space, called FireSat. The launch got praise from Cal Fire chief Joe Tyler, who called it 'a significant step forward in protecting both first responders and the public during critical situations' in a press release. The partnership expects its first operational FireSats in 2026. — CvK TESLA TURMOIL: Alex was back on LAist today to discuss Trump's extraordinary bid to support Elon Musk by turning the White House into a Tesla showroom. Listen to the interview on today's All Things Considered to hear why that move will likely backfire. — The Trump administration is seeking to end leases for NOAA offices in Arcata and Eureka. — Florida surpassed California last year in new utility-scale solar. — Firefighters had to rescue 300 climate conference attendees near Big Bear last week after they became stranded due to heavy snowfall.
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Rinnai America Applauds Passage of CRA Resolution in the House, Protecting American Jobs, Consumers and Energy Efficiency Goals
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., Feb. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rinnai America Corporation — a leading North American manufacturer of energy-efficient tankless water heaters — applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Department of Energy's (DOE) rule that threatens American jobs, drives up consumer costs and undermines energy efficiency. 'Yesterday's vote in the House represents a clear stand for American workers, consumers, and energy efficiency,' said Frank Windsor, President, Rinnai America Corporation. 'We remain committed to manufacturing in the U.S., providing affordable, energy-efficient solutions for American families, and protecting jobs in communities like Griffin, Georgia. The CRA will ensure that our country continues to benefit from innovation, consumer choice and the job creation that come with it.' The vote comes after President Trump announced he plans to sign the bill in its current form. 'We are grateful to President Trump and to our local Congressman Brian Jack who worked tirelessly to ensure the CRA passed,' added Windsor. The passage of the CRA is a critical victory for American manufacturing, consumers, and energy efficiency advocates. The rule, issued by the DOE, effectively bans non-condensing tankless water heaters, forcing consumers to choose more expensive and less efficient condensing models or traditional storage tank water heaters. This misguided regulation would result in higher energy costs, less consumer choice, and job losses in communities across the United States. The CRA is now headed to the U.S. Senate for further consideration. We urge all senators, especially Georgia's U.S. Senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, to support the CRA resolution. Let's put American workers above politics and move forward with common-sense energy solutions that protect American jobs and prevent unnecessary cost increases for families across the country. Rinnai America Corporation is a leading North American manufacturer of tankless water heaters. With a commitment to American manufacturing, energy efficiency, and innovation, Rinnai has revolutionized water heating with advanced, energy-saving technology. The company operates a 360,000-square-foot facility in Griffin, Georgia and employs over 500 individuals across its U.S. operations. About Rinnai: Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances, including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances, and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and has the highest efficiency of any tankless water heater brand in the United States and Canada. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $3.3 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating a healthier way of living®. For more information about Rinnai's entire product line, visit
