A Trump win could shift US climate court battles

If Donald Trump wins the 2024 election, his administration is likely to reshape climate-related court cases, halting support for EPA climate regulations and potentially reversing Biden-era policies.

Karen Zraick reports for The New York Times.

In short:

A second Trump administration may stop defending lawsuits challenging Biden’s climate policies, ceding the cases to opponents who seek to weaken EPA regulations.
Legal experts predict that if Trump wins, his administration could better defend environmental rollbacks than in his first term, potentially gutting air pollution and emission limits.
Recent Supreme Court decisions like the end of "Chevron deference" could give courts more control over federal agencies' rules, impacting future environmental policies.

Key quote:

“A Supreme Court decision saying that those lawsuits can’t proceed would be a major shot in the arm for the oil industry.”

— Sam Sankar, Earthjustice senior vice president

Why this matters:

A Trump presidency could allow fossil fuel companies to operate with fewer restrictions, worsening pollution and climate risks. The Supreme Court, with conservative appointees, may also be pivotal in shaping the future of climate lawsuits, potentially limiting states' power to hold polluters accountable.

www.nytimes.com

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