Fifth Circuit Voids Biden-Era Gas Stove Efficiency Standards

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voided Biden-era energy efficiency standards for gas and electric stoves and ovens in a 3-0 decision on August 12, 2026. The court ruled that the U.S. Department of Energy violated federal law by using a direct final rule to bypass the standard public notice-and-comment period for a regulation that was highly controversial rather than consensus-based.

Circuit Judge Andrew Oldham wrote that the agency attempted to dodge controversy and failed to consider whether the standards would increase consumer costs or reduce appliance reliability. The ruling favored a coalition of Republican-led states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah, who argued the regulations would cause appliance shortages and effectively ban gas-powered cooking. While the Biden administration claimed the rule would save consumers $1.6 billion in utility bills over 30 years, the standards were not scheduled to take effect until January 2028.

Although the court affirmed the Department of Energy's general authority to regulate cooktops, it ordered the agency to restart the rulemaking process if it wishes to pursue the regulations. Following the decision, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Energy stated that the current Trump administration is committed to ensuring consumers can choose appliances that fit their budgets and lives.