Supreme Court considers reviving nondelegation doctrine limiting agency power

The Supreme Court may soon revisit a long-unused doctrine that could curb federal agencies’ authority by placing more responsibility on Congress to legislate directly.

Pamela King reports for E&E News.


In short:

  • Conservative justices are signaling interest in reviving the nondelegation doctrine, which limits how much power Congress can delegate to federal agencies.
  • The Pacific Legal Foundation argues Congress has given too much power to agencies, challenging environmental regulations as part of this strategy.
  • If revived, the doctrine could reshape how agencies like the EPA regulate, shifting more responsibility back to Congress.

Key quote:

“This is the next frontier of separation of powers. This is definitely something we’re pushing in our litigation.”

— Luke Wake, attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation

Why this matters:

Reviving the nondelegation doctrine could reduce the power of regulatory agencies, requiring Congress to take on more direct decision-making. This shift could lead to delays in addressing complex issues like environmental protections due to political gridlock.

Read more: EPA loses ground in Supreme Court decisions

A man putting his vote in a ballot box in the U.S.

Data centers are ‘front and center’ in Pennsylvania’s competitive congressional elections

But with bipartisan opposition growing, it’s still unclear how the issue will affect the midterm results.
Power and fuel generation in the Czech Republic

Losing ground in the climate fight

From Brazil to the North Sea, economic interests have been edging out climate priorities this week.
Beach umbrellas with yellow and white stripes against a blue sky

Heat killed ‘staggering’ 50,000 people in Europe’s cities this summer, scientists warn

People succumbed to heat at highest rates in Malta, Italy, and Hungary, with health issues, loneliness, and poverty exacerbating toll.

A view of a sidewalk in a neighborhood with trees lining the street

The hidden history of how Big Oil invented the American Dream

From the family car to the dream kitchen, fossil fuel companies sold a way of life that depended on their products. New evidence shows how they did it.
Two construction workers looking up at scaffolding on a new build

Oil and tech money back measure to limit California environmental law

Proposition 45 would ease development of a wide range of projects, including some fossil-fuel facilities and possibly AI data centers.
A view of a bamboo forest

The case for low-carbon bamboo fuel starts at $2.75 a gallon

The fastest-growing plant on Earth can be turned into biocrude with almost no waste. A new study finds it emits 26 times less carbon than petroleum diesel.
A view of dark storm clouds with blue skies in the background

In Honduras, hard hit by drought, authorities hope to make it rain using contentious tactic

Global warming is making the El Niño weather pattern stronger, and that’s prolonging a devastating drought across a region of Central America known as the Dry Corridor.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.