Rejection of the Chevron Doctrine Casts Uncertainty on Future Climate Action

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision today to overturn the Chevron doctrine, which gave agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reasonable deference when interpreting statutes.

“This alarming decision will saddle federal agencies advancing science-based climate solutions with unproductive uncertainty,” said EESI President Daniel Bresette. "As the rejection of the Chevron doctrine reverberates throughout government and across the legal landscape, it is hard to imagine how it could result in anything positive for climate action.

“The end of the Chevron doctrine completely upends 40 years of precedent. This decision takes the necessary leeway to resolve ambiguities in statute away from technically- and scientifically-qualified experts and policymakers, and instead hands it to judges.

“Congress had understood the logic and merits of the Chevron doctrine, assuming it would apply to environmental, clean energy, and climate policies, which must be based on sound science. Now, Congress will also be needlessly burdened by this uncertainty as it works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help communities become more resilient to climate impacts.”