Supreme Court 'brazenly' limits EPA ability to reduce carbon pollution

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency, ruling that the EPA lacks the authority to promulgate the Clean Power Plan. The decision severely hamstrings EPA’s and the government’s ability to address greenhouse gas emissions. In response, The Wilderness Society released the following statement.

Statement can be attributed to Natalie Mebane, Climate Solutions Senior Director of The Wilderness Society.

“The Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. EPA brazenly limits the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act and threatens the federal government’s ability to tackle climate change. The decision follows a dangerous pattern of devastating rulings by this activist Court, upending years of settled law and turning the clock back decades on human rights and our ability to pursue healthy, safe lives.

“But in the shadow of these disastrous rulings, we still have critical and urgent opportunities to temper the climate crisis. Congress still can and must take immediate action by passing climate legislation that will protect communities and supercharge the transition to renewable energy. And in tandem, the Department of the Interior must boldly own and leverage its existing authority to safeguard public lands and waters from the dire impacts of climate change and ensure they are a solution to, not a cause of, the climate crisis. It’s now or never.”

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For more information, contact Tony Iallonardo at newsmedia@tws.org.