Alarming Supreme Court Decision Makes Congressional Climate Action Even More Critical

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) deeply regrets the Supreme Court’s alarming decision today to severely curtail the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) authority to regulate power plant carbon emissions.

“Today, the Supreme Court released a ruling that will have grave consequences on our ability to rapidly reduce carbon emissions,” said EESI Executive Director Daniel Bresette. “Historically, the Supreme Court has long, and rightfully, shown deference to the executive branch as it carries out the will of Congress. In 2007, the Supreme Court recognized EPA’s authority to regulate carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act. Today’s ruling could make it impossible for EPA to do what it should be able to do to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.

“This ruling will harm many more people than it purports to help, which unfortunately can be said about many of the Court's recent decisions. The vast majority of the American public supports strong federal climate action,” continued Bresette. “Now that the Supreme Court has tied the hands of EPA and other agencies, Congress must reassert itself by taking action. More than ever, Congress needs to enact strong, clear laws that ensure we have the policies and can make the investments needed to meet the challenge of the climate crisis with the urgency it merits.”