Natural Resources Defense Council v. Granholm

The federal district court for the Southern District of New York so-ordered a consent decree resolving lawsuits in which nongovernmental organizations and states alleged that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) had failed to publish final rules concerning energy conservation standards for 25 categories of consumer products and industrial equipment by deadlines specified by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Since the plaintiffs filed their lawsuits, DOE had promulgated final rules for five categories of products. The consent decree established deadlines that DOE agreed to meet for the remaining 20 product categories, which include residential clothes dryers and washers, water heaters, and dishwashers. The earliest deadline specified in the consent decree is June 30, 2023; the latest is November 30, 2024.

Two lawsuits were filed in the federal district court for the Southern District of New York asking the court to set an enforceable schedule for the U.S. Department of Energy to review and amend energy efficiency standards for 25 consumer and commercial products, including room air conditioners, pool heaters, furnaces, dishwashers, and walk-in coolers. Six organizations led by Natural Resources Defense Council filed one of the suits. The other was filed by 14 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs asserted violations of mandatory deadlines in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.