D.C. Circuit Judges Appear Split Over DOE Gas Appliance Efficiency Rules

A three-judge D.C. Circuit panel appeared split during oral arguments in a case challenging the Energy Department’s (DOE) energy efficiency standards for furnaces and water heaters, including wrestling over whether the court’s decision could have the broader effect of undercutting a suite of additional appliance efficiency rules. During Nov. 21 oral argument in American Gas Association (AGA) v. DOE , one judge appeared unpersuaded by gas groups’ claims against the rules, while another seemed more open to claims that the...