Tollefson, J. (2022, June 30). US Supreme Court hobbles the EPA’s authority over Climate Emissions. Nature News. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01796-8
The Biden Administration’s promise of harsher regulation of climate control was weakened with the new conservative ruling of West Virginia v. The US Environmental Protection Agency. This case determined that regulation of national power industries production of greenhouse gasses should fall under Congress’s control, not the EPA’s. The decision was a direct counter to the 1970 Clean Air Act, in which SCOTUS argued that the act “limits the agency’s regulatory power to the scale of individual power plants.” Thus, the determination and promotion of coal focused energy sources rather than cleaner forms of fuel has sent the climate movement backwards.
As we recognize the need for a more sustainable future, it is imminent that we make immediate federal changes that lobby specifically against privately run pollution contributions. This decision is historical as it solidifies the unjust increased value of financial profit rather than sustainable energy. People must lobby against this SCOTUS decision and demand greater emphasis be placed on reversing damage to our climate rather than encouraging more financially profitable yet less environmentally friendly decisions to pass.
Oh no… this is a huge step in the wrong direction. Giving the power to Congress not only means it’s unlikely they will care as much as Biden or the EPA, but that any decisions could take years to be made because of the inefficiency of our federal government. What do you think we should do to demand for greater emphasis?
I know right! It seems like an over reach by Congress, unnecessary. I think that we should lobby against Congress to ensure that protection must be made to environmentally preserving legislation, such as the Clean Air Act. We cannot allow for us to take more steps backwards than forwards. Thank you!