US federal courts scrutinize energy regulation and climate change in 2024

In a pivotal year, federal courts are set to decide on cases that could significantly alter energy regulators' approach to climate change.

Niina H. Farah reports for E&E News.

In short:

The Supreme Court may limit the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) use of existing laws to address climate change.
Key cases include Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which challenges the Chevron doctrine, impacting how federal agencies interpret laws.
Other significant cases involve FERC's approval processes for natural gas pipelines and their climate impact assessments.

Key quote:

“What we really want FERC to be doing is talking about these emissions in a way that truly indicates that they understand how bad a project may be for the climate.”

— Moneen Nasmith, senior attorney at Earthjustice

Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate and health.

www.eenews.net

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

grey wooden pathway surrounded by trees.

Credit: Jamie Hagan/Unsplash

Trump administration moves to end Army Corps’ Florida headquarters lease

The Trump administration plans to terminate the lease for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Jacksonville headquarters, which plays a key role in Everglades restoration and hurricane response, leaving employees uncertain about their future.

Amy Green reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less

Read the Full Article on

insideclimatenews.org

US federal courts scrutinize energy regulation and climate change in 2024

Plastic water pipes leach dangerous chemicals when damaged in wildfires

Standing up for science: Around the world, scientists protest Trump threats to their work

Trump’s EPA moves to roll back chemical safety rules

U.S. pulls out of international effort to shift major polluters from coal

Congress hears warnings that cutting renewable energy incentives could drive up costs

Trump administration moves to end Army Corps’ Florida headquarters lease

China urged to halt coal power expansion as approvals surge

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

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

Op-ed: Why funding for the environmental justice movement must be anti-racist

We must prioritize minority-serving institutions, BIPOC-led organizations and researchers to lead environmental justice efforts.

Biden finalizes long-awaited hydrogen tax credits ahead of Trump presidency

Responses to the new rules have been mixed, and environmental advocates worry that Trump could undermine them.

Op-ed: Toxic prisons teach us that environmental justice needs abolition

Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.

LISTEN: Reflections on the first five years of the Agents of Change program

The leadership team talks about what they’ve learned — and what lies ahead.

Study shows $1 billion in lost tax revenue in Houston area from industry tax breaks

Top polluters are benefiting the most from tax breaks.