The Department of Justice (DOJ) is threatening to take legal action against California regulators if they implement strict energy efficiency policies that would effectively phase out particular gas appliances.
U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli wrote a letter to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) on Thursday night, warning that the DOJ will intervene if the SCAQMD enacts rules that will require manufacturers to have 90% of their furnace and water heater sales be zero-emissions models by 2036. The warning letter aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order directing the DOJ to crack down on state and local policies that threaten domestic energy resources.
“These two SCAQMD policies up for review today flout federal law, threaten the safety of our communities, and pile on higher energy costs for California families,” Essayli wrote to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “The President has been clear: we must firmly oppose state and local actions that hinder domestic energy production and affordability. My office stands ready to challenge these misguided proposals and defend the interests of our residents.”
California regulators are on notice: if you pass illegal bans or penalties on gas appliances, we’ll see you in court. The law is clear—feds set energy policy, not unelected climate bureaucrats. Read the letter I sent the @SouthCoastAQMD: pic.twitter.com/fnKUKG6csF
— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) June 5, 2025
Former President Joe Biden introduced stringent energy efficiency regulations for various appliances as part of his sprawling climate agenda, including tightening energy regulations on products like dishwashers, gas stoves and water heaters.
“To protect the interests of the American people, the Attorney General has been directed to take all appropriate action to stop the enforcement of state and local laws and regulations that burden the use of domestic energy resources,” Essayli’s letter reads. He continues to note in the letter that if two of the SCAQMD’s proposed amended rules pass, his office is “prepared to take all steps necessary to enforce federal law, including filing a civil action seeking any and all available relief.”
Essayli added that the proposed rules would violate the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, in DOJ’s view.
SCAQMD did not respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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