DC Gas Ban Likely Upheld by Appeals Court in EPCA Preemption Case

A federal appeals panel signaled it will likely uphold Washington, D.C.'s restrictions on natural gas in new buildings, rejecting industry claims that the Energy Policy and Conservation Act preempts local building codes. The ruling, if confirmed, would set a precedent for other jurisdictions seeking to phase out gas in construction, though the decision is not final. This matters because it clarifies the legal boundary between federal appliance standards and local building regulations, potentially accelerating municipal gas bans nationwide.