47 Bipartisan Senators Call for Action on Transformers
At NAHB’s urging, a bipartisan group of 47 Senate lawmakers has sent a letter to Sec. Jennifer Granholm urging the Department of Energy (DOE) not to move forward on its proposed rule to regulate energy conservation standards for distribution transformers because it will exacerbate an already acute supply chain shortage.
Senators said that between 2020 and 2022, average lead times to procure distribution transformers went from eight to 12 weeks to up to three years.
“This multi-fold increase is directly impacting the electric power industry’s grid modernization and reliability efforts, … posing challenges for communities that need to rebuild as well as new development,” the Senate letter stated. “We are committed to working with you to identify short and long-term solutions to the supply chain shortage of these critical grid components.”