“Supreme Court Decision Limits Federal Agency Power: Impact on Environmental Protections”
The Supreme Court made a significant ruling on Friday that could have far-reaching implications for environmental regulations in the United States. In a 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote that federal agencies’ power to regulate the environment, public health, and other critical aspects of American life has been curtailed.
The ruling specifically addressed two cases, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce, which challenged a federal rule requiring the herring industry to cover the costs of observers on fishing boats. The Supreme Court struck down the rule, finding it overly burdensome and effectively overturning the long-standing precedent known as the Chevron doctrine.
The Chevron doctrine, established in a 1984 Supreme Court ruling, dictates that courts should defer to an agency’s interpretation of a law as long as it is reasonable. This decision has historically given federal agencies more leeway in issuing environmental regulations.
Conservative advocacy groups, including those backed by petrochemicals billionaire Charles Koch, have long sought to overturn the Chevron doctrine. On the other hand, many environmental groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council, supported retaining Chevron despite the defeat it handed them in the original 1984 ruling.
The impact of this ruling on efforts to combat climate change, protect endangered species, and regulate toxic chemicals remains uncertain. David Doniger of the Natural Resources Defense Council warned that agencies may struggle to address new environmental challenges like climate change without the deference provided by the Chevron doctrine.
In the near term, the ruling is expected to lead to an increase in lawsuits challenging federal agency actions across various sectors, not just environmental regulations. Republican lawmakers may also use this decision to intensify oversight of the Biden administration’s environmental policies.
Overall, the Supreme Court’s ruling marks a significant shift in the balance of power between federal agencies and the courts when it comes to regulating the environment and public health in the United States.