Supreme Court Upholds Biden Administration’s Environmental Regulations
The United States Supreme Court has upheld two key environmental regulations set by the Biden administration, which target the reduction of methane and mercury emissions. These regulations survived challenges from industry groups and Republican-led states, although the justices did not elaborate on their decision, and there were no noted dissents.
The regulations are part of a comprehensive strategy by the administration to address climate change, including promoting electric vehicles and updating emission standards for vehicles. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserted these rules are vital for public health and fall squarely within its legal authority under the Clean Air Act.
Remmington Belford, an EPA spokesperson, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, emphasizing the expected climate and health benefits from controlling methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, and limiting mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants. According to Belford, the regulations leverage existing technologies and practices already employed by several states and companies.
The Supreme Court’s decision comes amid ongoing deliberations over an EPA rule aimed at reducing emissions from coal-fired power plants. Previously, the court has limited the EPA’s regulatory power, including a significant 2022 ruling that curbed the agency’s authority over carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is primarily emitted by the oil and gas industry. The new regulations focus on existing wells and smaller wells, which, despite accounting for a minor share of production, significantly contribute to methane emissions. The regulations also introduce phased requirements for curbing routine flaring of natural gas by energy companies.
Opponents of the methane rule argue that the new standards are unrealistic and detrimental to the industry. Meanwhile, the mercury regulation, which reverses previous administration policies, updates over-decade-old standards to mitigate emissions impacting human health, including developmental and neurological harms.
Despite resistance from some states and industry groups, the EPA maintains that these updates are necessary. David Doniger from the Natural Resources Defense Council praised the Supreme Court’s decision, highlighting the importance of these regulations as critical safeguards. Doniger also urged the court to uphold the EPA’s power plant carbon pollution standards, which are still under review.
