chevron doctrine
Newsletter
Credit: Fine Photographics/Unsplash
Recent Supreme Court rulings could hinder climate policies
The Supreme Court's recent decisions limiting federal authority are already complicating the legal landscape for environmental regulations, potentially slowing down critical climate action.
In short:
- The Supreme Court's rulings, including the overturning of the Chevron doctrine, weaken federal agencies' ability to enforce climate-related regulations.
- Lower courts have started to return cases for reconsideration, leading to delays and uncertainty in climate policy implementation.
- Legal experts warn that the uncertainty may discourage federal agencies from pursuing ambitious climate policies.
Key quote:
"We are at a critical point for climate action, and in the absence of Congressional legislation, we’re going to be asking our federal agencies to do more and more with the statutory tools that they already have."
— Jason Rylander, legal director, Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
These Supreme Court rulings could significantly delay or derail efforts to mitigate climate change by limiting the power of federal agencies. Without bold regulatory action, achieving critical climate goals may become increasingly difficult.
Related EHN coverage:
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Trump's allies celebrate significant legal wins in energy and environmental regulation
Former Trump administration officials are feeling good about the potential for a second Trump term, following a series of favorable Supreme Court rulings that could reshape environmental regulations.
In short:
- The Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine, potentially limiting agency authority on regulations, has energized Trump allies.
- Conservatives view recent court rulings as paving the way for challenges to Biden administration climate policies.
- Former Trump officials are optimistic about a second Trump term, which they believe could further dismantle regulatory constraints.
Key quote:
“It’s a very big deal and it opens the gate for reconsideration of a lot of environmental decisions and rules..."
— Mandy Gunasekara, former EPA chief of staff during the Trump administration
Why this matters:
These developments could significantly alter the regulatory landscape, reducing agency power and impacting climate change policies, with far-reaching implications for environmental health and regulatory oversight. Read more: Supreme Court undoing 50 years’ worth of environmental progress.
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: Daniel Huizinga/Flickr
Chevron ruling reshapes energy regulations and federal authority
The Supreme Court's decision to limit federal agency power will pose challenges for the Biden administration's climate policies and regulatory efforts.
In short:
- The Supreme Court's decision reduces the authority of federal agencies to interpret ambiguous laws, affecting regulations on emissions and electric vehicles.
- Legal experts anticipate increased litigation challenging existing and new regulations, particularly those related to climate change.
- Key Biden-era climate initiatives, such as emission reductions from power plants and electric vehicle regulations, face new legal hurdles.
Key quote:
“Where agencies appear to be carrying out sweeping and adventurous regulatory efforts to address our most pressing issues, that sort of effort is going to be immediately called into question.”
— Joel Eisen, University of Richmond law professor.
Why this matters:
This ruling could stymie efforts to mitigate climate change by increasing legal barriers to environmental regulation, potentially slowing down policies aimed at reducing climate-warming pollution. Read more: “Cancer Alley” residents exposed to more than the lifetime exposure limit for cancer-causing compound.
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: Ian Hutchinson/Unsplash
Supreme Court limits federal agencies' regulatory authority by overturning Chevron decision
The Supreme Court has overturned a 40-year-old precedent that allowed federal agencies broad regulatory powers, including on a range of environmental issues.
Melissa Quinn reports for CBS News.
In short:
- The Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled to overturn the 1984 Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council decision.
- The ruling limits federal agencies' power to interpret laws without explicit congressional authorization.
- Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court that the decision would not apply retroactively to prior cases.
- However, in their dissent, Justices Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson warned of the consequences of increased judicial control over regulatory matters, and potential new challenges to longstanding agency interpretations.
Key quote:
"What actions can be taken to address climate change or other environmental challenges? What will the nation's health-care system look like in the coming decades? Or the financial or transportation systems? What rules are going to constrain the development of A.I.? In every sphere of current or future federal regulation, expect courts from now on to play a commanding role."
- Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan
Why this matters:
This decision could significantly impact the ability of federal agencies to regulate critical areas such as the environment, health care and workplace safety. The shift in judicial power may lead to more legal challenges and uncertainty in regulatory processes. Here's a look at some other consequential rulings the Supreme Court has made in the past year on environmental issues.
Newsletter
Credit: Adam Michael Szuscik/Unsplash
Supreme Court ruling could impact environmental policies
The U.S. Supreme Court's upcoming decision on the Chevron doctrine could significantly affect environmental regulations, including those on pollution and climate change.
In short:
- The Chevron doctrine allows federal agencies to interpret ambiguous statutes reasonably.
- Overturning Chevron may limit agencies' flexibility to adapt regulations to new scientific findings.
- The decision could shift more policy-making power to the judiciary, leading to increased litigation and regulatory instability.
Key quote:
"Overturning or enfeebling Chevron would have negative consequences."
— Jody Freeman, Harvard Law School
Why this matters:
Removing the Chevron doctrine could reduce agencies' ability to address evolving environmental challenges effectively. This shift might undermine regulatory stability, impacting public health and environmental protection.
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: Matt Wade/Flickr
Chevron deference may face changes but not complete repeal by the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is poised to decide on the future of Chevron deference, a key doctrine for federal agencies, with potential significant changes expected instead of a full repeal.
In short:
- The Supreme Court is reviewing Chevron deference, a 40-year-old legal principle allowing federal agencies to interpret unclear laws.
- Justices may choose to limit the doctrine rather than overturn it, potentially setting new precedents for lower courts.
- Legal experts predict significant impacts on future regulatory cases if the doctrine is weakened.
Key quote:
“We cannot expect—and agencies working on rules now cannot expect—courts to defer to them in the future in the way that they deferred under Chevron.”
— Lisa Heinzerling, Georgetown University law professor
Why this matters:
Changes to Chevron deference could restrict the ability of federal agencies like the EPA to enforce regulations, impacting health and environmental policies nationwide. Read more: Supreme Court undoing 50 years’ worth of environmental progress.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Photo by Adam Michael Szuscik on Unsplash
Supreme Court weighs overturning a pillar of regulatory law
While federal agencies are promulgating a slew of climate regulations, the high court heard arguments for limiting regulators' power.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
