The Supreme Court allows new EPA regulations on mercury and methane emissions to proceed
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to block Biden administration rules aimed at curbing mercury and methane emissions, despite legal challenges from Republican-led states and industry groups.
Abbie VanSickle and Adam Liptak report for The New York Times.
In short:
- The Supreme Court refused to stop EPA rules reducing mercury emissions from coal plants and methane emissions from oil and gas facilities.
- Industry groups argued that the regulations would cause economic harm and needed more time for compliance.
- The Biden administration contended the rules were necessary to address public health and climate change.
Key quote:
“Climate change is the nation’s most pressing environmental challenge; the primary cause of climate change is the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas that drives climate change and additionally results in ground-level ozone; and the oil and gas industry is the largest industrial emitter of methane in the United States.”
— Elizabeth B. Prelogar, U.S. Solicitor General
Why this matters:
The court’s decision allows the EPA to enforce stricter pollution controls, addressing both public health concerns and the urgent need to combat climate change. Methane is a powerful contributor to global warming, and mercury is a toxic pollutant affecting human health.
