Gas Ban DEMOLISHED — DOJ Takes Legal Hammer

Industrial refinery with smoke stacks and visible flames

Trump’s DOJ strikes back against radical local gas bans, suing a New Jersey township to protect affordable energy and crush green overreach that hikes costs for everyday Americans.

Story Highlights

DOJ files federal lawsuit against Morris Township, NJ, over 2022 ordinance banning natural gas in new large apartment buildings.
Suit claims violation of 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which preempts local bans on compliant energy infrastructure.
Follows quick victories in California where two cities rescinded similar bans after DOJ pressure earlier in 2026.
Trump administration vows to unleash American energy dominance and stop policies making life unaffordable.

DOJ Launches Federal Lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against Morris Township. The suit targets Ordinance 08-22, adopted in 2022, which prohibits natural gas, propane, and fuel oil in new apartment complexes with 12 or more units. Defendants include Mayor Donna J. Guariglia, Engineer Joseph Vuich, Construction Code Officer Ron Auth, and the township committee. DOJ argues the ban directly conflicts with federal energy standards.

Energy Policy and Conservation Act Preempts Local Rules

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 establishes federal efficiency standards for appliances like stoves, furnaces, and water heaters. This law preempts state and local regulations that ban compliant infrastructure, including natural gas piping. Morris Township’s ordinance mandates all-electric buildings for health and environmental reasons, mirroring a post-2020 surge in municipal gas bans. Federal courts, including the Ninth Circuit in 2023, have consistently ruled such local measures illegal.

Principal Deputy Assistant Adam Gustafson stated that banning natural gas is unlawful and drives up costs for essential functions. Former Attorney General Pamela Bondi, before her firing, declared radical environmentalist policies will not stand. The DOJ seeks an injunction to void the ordinance entirely.

California Precedents Signal Swift Victory

Early 2026 saw DOJ sue Morgan Hill and Petaluma, California, over identical bans. Both cities rescinded their ordinances in March, demonstrating the strength of federal preemption arguments. Morris Township officials remain silent, unserved as of reports, adopting a defensive stance. District Judge Julien Xavier Neals oversees the case, with DOJ poised to leverage these precedents for a motion to strike.

Impacts on Families and Energy Costs

Morris Township residents and developers face restricted choices in new multi-unit housing. Natural gas offers the lowest-cost, most efficient option for heating, cooking, and drying, per DOJ claims. The ban forces reliance on electricity, potentially raising bills amid high energy prices that frustrate working families. This pits affordability and consumer liberty against unsubstantiated green mandates, eroding practical energy access in suburban New Jersey.

Short-term, invalidation halts all-electric requirements in ongoing builds. Long-term, the ruling reinforces federal supremacy, deterring copycat bans nationwide and boosting natural gas confidence. Trump DOJ’s actions align with promises of energy dominance, countering years of globalist policies that prioritized climate agendas over American wallets. Political wins here shape 2026 energy policy, limiting local government overreach.