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D.C. Circuit Hears Furnace Rule Oral Argument

By Renée Lani posted 12-05-2024 12:35 PM

  
On November 21, a panel of judges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral argument for APGA’s case involving the Department of Energy’s (DOE) efficiency standards rulemakings.
 
Recall that APGA is jointly challenging DOE’s final efficiency standard for non-weatherized residential furnaces (Furnace Rule) with the American Gas Association, National Propane Gas Association, and others. Consolidated with this challenge are also challenges to DOE’s final commercial water heating equipment efficiency standard and the agency’s withdrawal of the “interpretive rule,” which would have ensured consumer access to certain appliance technology. Read more about the legal challenge here.
 
The case was heard by a panel of three judges:  Judge Cornelia Pillard, Judge Robert Wilkins, and Judge Neomi Rao.  The judges asked a number of thoughtful questions both of APGA and DOE's counsel.  A decision on the case is anticipated in Spring 2025.
 
A recording of the oral argument is available here.
 
Copies of all the briefings for this legal challenge are available here.
 
For questions on this article, please contact Renée Lani of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-0836 or by email at rlani@apga.org.

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