Blog: “A new zone of uncertainty” – What West Virginia v. EPA means for water and environment
In a 6-3 decision last week, the Supreme Court restricted the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to curb climate pollution from power plants. … The decision leaves intact the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and even allows it to regulate power plants on a case-by-case basis. The greater significance of the case, rather, may be the new inroad it creates for challenges to environment and water protections…. Hesitancy on the part of federal agencies could be damaging for U.S. water issues, many of which cut across state boundaries. James Eklund, an environmental lawyer and architect of the Colorado Water Plan, said that ambitious action by the Bureau of Reclamation has been central to averting the worst water shortages in the American West.
Related article:
- E&E News: When SCOTUS meets WOTUS