Conservative judges challenge environmental laws

Several recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings pose serious challenges for the government as it combats climate change and pollution in the years ahead.

Maxine Joselow reports The Washington Post.

In short:

• Recent Supreme Court rulings limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s power to enforce air and water pollution regulations.
• The court overturned Chevron a doctrine that limits the power of federal agencies to regulate critical areas, including the environment.
• The court also halted implementation of an Environmental Protection Agency plan aimed at reducing air pollution from industry that travels across state lines to states farther offshore.
• These decisions reflect a coordinated campaign by industry and conservative groups to weaken the administrative state and the EPA.

Key quote:

“They had a knife before; they have a chainsaw now.

— Sam Sankar, Senior Vice President of Programs at environmental law firm Earthjustice

Why it matters:

These rulings hamper efforts to address climate change, potentially worsening health outcomes, enabling increased pollution and environmental degradation. These decisions could impact U.S. climate policy for decades, especially if conservative judges continue to dominate the judiciary. Read more: Supreme Court reverses 50 years of environmental progress.