Fifth Circuit overturns DOE's gas-stove efficiency rule in favor of seven states

In a 3-0 ruling, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated the Department of Energy's final rule that set efficiency standards for residential gas and electric stoves and ovens, finding the agency bypassed mandatory public-comment procedures. The decision was issued for seven Republican-led states—Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and Utah—that challenged the rule intended to reduce household energy consumption and eliminate some older stove models.

Judge Andrew Oldham, a Donald Trump appointee, criticized the use of the Direct Final Rule process after states had opposed a similar 2023 proposal, a view shared by Judges Catharina Haynes and James Ho. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill hailed the outcome as a victory against excessive regulation that would raise appliance costs. The ruling halts the Biden administration's attempt to impose nationwide appliance efficiency requirements, leaving existing standards unchanged.