A lawsuit filed in the federal district court for the Central District of California sought to enjoin a South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) rule that phased in zero-emission limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx) from certain water heaters, boilers, and process heaters. The plaintiffs—which included manufacturers of natural gas appliances; building, manufacturing, real estate, lodging, and restaurant industry groups; and a labor organization—asserted that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act preempted the rule and asked the court to enjoin the defendant from enforcing or attempting to enforce the rule’s emissions limits. The California Air Resources board identified zero-emission standards for appliances as a component of the 2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality and mentioned SCAQMD’s proposal for zero-emission NOx limits for space and water heating.

Lawsuit to enjoin a rule phasing in zero-emission limits for nitrogen oxides from certain water heaters, boilers, and process heaters.

Rinnai America Corp. v. South Coast Air Quality Management District

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Lawsuit Alleged that Federal Law Preempted South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Zero-Emissions Limits for Appliances

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Lawsuit Alleged that Federal Law Preempted South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Zero-Emissions Limits for Appliances

Policy instrument

Risk

Impacted group

Just transition

Fossil fuel

Greenhouse gas

Economic sector

Adaptation/resilience

Finance