The Supreme Court on Monday vacated a Biden-era regulation on furnace and water heater efficiency standards, handing the Trump administration a significant legal victory.
In American Gas Association v. Department of Energy, the nation’s highest court struck down a lower court’s decision that had upheld the Obama administration’s appliance standards. The ruling means the case will return to the District of Columbia district court for reconsideration in light of the Supreme Court’s action.
The Court’s Decision
Justices vacated the D.C. circuit court’s ruling that had previously upheld regulations on non-condensing commercial water heaters and furnaces. Trade groups including the American Gas Association had challenged the Biden administration’s standards, arguing they effectively eliminated certain products from the market.
Solicitor General John Sauer wrote in court filings that “the Department may not adopt standards that effectively eliminate from the market products that have distinct ‘performance characteristics.'” The Trump administration’s legal team had specifically asked the high court to overturn the lower court’s decision.
What Comes Next
The Department of Energy is now considering new rulemaking to correct what the Trump administration deems “factually and legally flawed” regulations. Sauer indicated the agency would pursue its own approach to the standards rather than defending the Biden administration’s rules.
The lower court is expected to reconsider its position when the case returns, likely resulting in a different outcome given the Supreme Court’s action.
Broader Regulatory Push
This decision comes as Congress moves to dismantle other Biden-era regulations. The House of Representatives voted 226-197 on Wednesday to repeal restrictions on household showerheads, with 11 Democrats joining Republicans in support.
The “Saving Homeowners from Overregulation with Exceptional Rinsing Act,” or SHOWER Act, would codify an executive order President Trump signed in April allowing each shower nozzle to be counted as an individual “shower head” under federal law. The Biden administration had interpreted regulations to limit combined water flow from multi-nozzle systems to 2.5 gallons per minute.
“Washington bureaucrats have gone too far in dictating what happens in Americans’ own homes,” said Rep. Russell Fry, the bill’s sponsor. The legislation reflects Republican criticism that Democratic administrations have overreached through federal agencies regulating everyday consumer choices.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Health & Science team contributed to this report.
