Conservative judges undermine environmental regulations
Several recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court pose significant challenges to the government's ability to combat climate change and pollution for years to come.
Maxine Joselow reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Recent Supreme Court rulings restrict the Environmental Protection Agency's power to enforce air and water pollution regulations.
- The court overturned the Chevron doctrine, limiting federal agencies' authority to regulate critical areas, including the environment.
- The court also put a hold on an EPA plan to reduce industrial air pollution that drifts across state lines to downwind states.
- These decisions reflect a concerted campaign by industry and conservative groups to weaken the administrative state and the EPA.
Key quote:
“They had a knife before; they have a chain saw now.”
— Sam Sankar, senior vice president for programs at the environmental lawfirm Earthjustice
Why this matters:
These rulings hinder efforts to address climate change, potentially worsening health outcomes by allowing increased pollution and environmental degradation. The decisions could influence U.S. climate policy for decades, especially if conservative judges continue to dominate the judiciary. Read more: Supreme Court undoing 50 years’ worth of environmental progress.
