Court Upholds Washington, DC, New Building Electrification Law

Washington, DC’s law requiring newly constructed or improved buildings to be zero-energy by 2027 was upheld by federal court Thursday.

The decision serves as another win for local governments that have faced legal challenges over their efforts to electrify buildings. Maryland’s Montgomery County on Wednesday also successfully defended its ordinance banning the use of gas appliances in new buildings with limited exceptions.

In both cases, associations representing builders, restaurants, and other businesses claimed the local ordinances were preempted by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The law prohibits state and local regulations regarding energy efficiency or energy use of certain ...