Speaking for the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), president William Sutton said at the time, "We are disappointed that such an important decision affecting homeowners in all 50 states should be determined on process rather than on the impact of the regulation on millions of people."
Prior to the ruling, ARI had been battling the 13-SEER minimum standard since late 2000. Despite objections from ARI and members of Congress, the DOE supported the increase, which raised the minimum from the current 10 SEER to 13. However, after a 60-day review period (during which ARI and other concerned industry groups and businesses voiced their objections to the proposed increase), the DOE reversed its position in May 2002.