Maine leaders divided over US Supreme Court ruling on environmental regulations

PORTLAND (WGME) — Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court weakened the authority of federal agencies to approve new regulations.

The 1984 Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council ruling was overturned by a vote of 6 to 3.

Maine House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, who is also a lobster fisherman, believes the decision allows people to question the decisions of the federal government.

For years, Maine lobster fishermen have opposed NOAA fishing regulations designed to protect the endangered right whale.

Fishermen have spoken at length about the challenges of following these rules while trying to stay in business.

The Chevron doctrine required courts to defer to federal agency decisions when creating regulations based on unclear statutes.

Faulkingham says this gives people more power to fight these federal agencies.

“They’ll still be able to make regulations,” Faulkingham said. “They’ll still be able to make those regulations, but they’ll have to have a good reason for doing so. And they’ll have to be able to defend them in court.”

Gov. Janet Mills, who has frequently stood with Maine lobstermen, shared her concerns when the decision was announced.

“This decision is a flagrant abuse of judicial power that undermines the federal government’s ability to protect the health and safety of the American people, the health of our environment, and much more,” Mills said.