The Supreme Court is set to decide on limiting the scope of environmental reviews under NEPA for new projects, potentially reshaping federal climate regulations.
Niina H. Farah and Pamela King report for E&E News.
In short:
- The Supreme Court will hear a case challenging the extent of environmental analysis required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
- The case involves the Uinta Basin Railway project, which aims to transport crude oil from Utah to Gulf Coast refineries.
- Environmental groups argue that limiting NEPA reviews could weaken protections against climate and environmental risks.
Key quote:
“It’s disappointing the Supreme Court took up this case, but the appellate court’s decision on this destructive project is legally sound and should ultimately stand.”
— Wendy Park, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
A ruling to limit NEPA's scope could streamline the approval process for new projects, a move welcomed by some industries and developers. However, this could come at the cost of reduced environmental safeguards, potentially leading to increased pollution, habitat destruction, and adverse health effects on communities, particularly those already vulnerable to environmental hazards.
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