Energy Department Calls Pool Pump Conservation Standards Lawful

The Energy Department defended its adoption of amended energy conservation standards for dedicated-purpose pool pump motors, challenging a pool equipment company’s assertion that they were flawed.

The Department of Energy “acted within its clear authority under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act in setting energy conservation standards for these motors,” it told the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on Monday.

Zodiac Pool Systems LLC argued in April that a certain type of motor should be exempted from the department’s efficiency rule, which required a class of motors to be able to operate at a range of different ...