JURIST - Paper Chase: Federal appeals court disallows rollback of energy efficiency standards

In the federal courts roundup for Tuesday, the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Bush administration was wrong to roll back a Clinton era standard regarding the efficiency of home air conditioning units, according to AP. The administration had attempted to put in place a less stringent requirement. The court held that such an action violated the intention of Congress, which intended to make it difficult to reduce energy efficiency standards. Read the ruling here... AP also reports that the US DC Circuit Court of Appeals has refused requests to suspend a judge's order to curtail snowmobiling in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Yesterday, the Justice Department filed notice of appeal in the snowmobiling case, and sought a suspension of the judge's order while appeals are pending.... Finally, federal administrative law judge William A. Pope II has declined to restore the pilot's license of Delta Air Lines co-pilot Gary Schroeder, the Virginian Pilot reports. Schroeder's license had been revoked after testing positive for alcohol while on duty. Pope affirmed a National Transportation Safety Board administrative law judge's ruling at a hearing last month. The case turned on the admissibility of a particular type of breath sensor evidence which is not admissible in Virginia criminal courts, but was utilized by the ALJ.