Energy Efficiency, Regulation  -  June 15, 2017

11 states sue over energy efficiency standards delay

Eleven states, the city of New York and a handful of environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over five delayed energy efficiency standards. 

The delayed U.S. DOE standards were made final under the Obama administration in December, according to The Hill, but following the presidential transition, the necessary administrative steps have not been taken to enact them. Environmental groups estimate that the standards have the potential to save energy consumers of all customer classes up to $11 billion on their energy bills.          

"The lack of action was part of the new administration's pause and review on regulations across the government, and the opponents say that was illegal," The Hill reported June 13. 

The delayed DOE standards are for portable air conditioners, uninterruptible power supplies (the battery backup systems used to keep computers and other electronic devices running when the power goes out), air compressors used in a variety of commercial and industrial applications, walk-in coolers and freezers found in grocery stores and other locations, and packaged boilers that heat one-fourth of the nation's commercial space, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the environmental groups that has sued the administration. 

The lawsuit filed by the states is being led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Joining them are Bob Ferguson, Washington State Attorney General; Janet T. Mills, Maine Attorney General; George Jepsen, Connecticut Attorney General; Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General; T.J. Donovan, Vermont Attorney General; Ellen F. Rosenblum, Oregon Attorney General; Brian E. Frosh, Maryland Attorney General; Maura Healey, Massachusetts Attorney General, and Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Attorney General. The city of New York is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

"Every family and every business can be part of the climate change solution by using more energy-efficient appliances," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement. "However, the Department of Energy is blocking common-sense energy efficiency standards. This is absurd. The Trump Administration should stop stalling and start following the law."

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