The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to block Biden administration rules aimed at curbing mercury and methane emissions, despite legal challenges from Republican-led states and industry groups.
Abbie VanSickle and Adam Liptak report for The New York Times.
In short:
- The Supreme Court refused to stop EPA rules reducing mercury emissions from coal plants and methane emissions from oil and gas facilities.
- Industry groups argued that the regulations would cause economic harm and needed more time for compliance.
- The Biden administration contended the rules were necessary to address public health and climate change.
Key quote:
“Climate change is the nation’s most pressing environmental challenge; the primary cause of climate change is the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas that drives climate change and additionally results in ground-level ozone; and the oil and gas industry is the largest industrial emitter of methane in the United States.”
— Elizabeth B. Prelogar, U.S. Solicitor General
Why this matters:
The court’s decision allows the EPA to enforce stricter pollution controls, addressing both public health concerns and the urgent need to combat climate change. Methane is a powerful contributor to global warming, and mercury is a toxic pollutant affecting human health.
