Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Precedent Limiting Federal Regulatory Power
Federal Courts Rebuff Challenges to EPA's Climate Change Regulation
The Supreme Court on Friday overturned a precedent that had limited the ability of federal agencies to regulate climate change pollution. The ruling, which came in two cases challenging a rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service, is a major victory for the Biden administration and environmental advocates.
The Chevron doctrine, established in 1984, held that courts must defer to the interpretation of ambiguous statutes by the agencies responsible for enforcing them. This doctrine had been used by the Trump administration to justify rolling back environmental regulations, including those aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In Friday's ruling, the Supreme Court held that the Chevron doctrine does not apply to regulations that are based on "major questions" of economic or political significance. The Court found that the rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service was based on such a major question and that the agency had not adequately explained its reasoning for adopting the rule.
Legal Experts Say Reversal of Chevron Will Not Remove EPA's Obligation to Regulate Climate Pollution
Legal experts say that the reversal of Chevron will not remove the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) foundational legal obligation to regulate climate-warming pollution. The Clean Air Act gives the EPA broad authority to regulate emissions of air pollutants, including greenhouse gases. This authority is not diminished by the Supreme Court's ruling.
The EPA has already taken significant steps to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, including setting limits on emissions from power plants, vehicles, and other sources. The Supreme Court's ruling is unlikely to affect these regulations. However, it could make it more difficult for the EPA to adopt new regulations that are based on major questions of economic or political significance.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court's ruling in these cases is a significant setback for the Trump administration's efforts to roll back environmental regulations. It is also a victory for the Biden administration and environmental advocates who have been fighting to protect the environment from climate change.
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