The United States Department of Energy and New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against Morris Township, alleging that an ordinance banning natural gas in new apartment buildings is unlawful and increases energy costs and decreases consumer choice. The lawsuit argues that the Energy Policy and Conservation Act prevents state and local governments from setting energy efficiency standards on certain appliances and regulating how much energy these products can use. The Trump administration is asking the court to declare the township's ordinance invalid under federal law and to impose a judgment blocking township officials from enforcing it. The suit alleges that while the Trump administration has prioritised reducing energy costs, certain states and localities have enacted policies that threaten U.S. energy dominance and economic and national security.