Action Alert
Supreme Court’s
West Virginia v. EPA
Decision

Tell Congress that the Supreme Court’s recent climate decision demands urgent legislative action to invest in climate action

Last week’s Supreme Court ruling in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a huge setback for climate progress and for protecting the health and wellbeing of Americans. The decision severely limits EPA’s ability to set carbon emissions standards for power plants, which are the second-largest source of US carbon emissions. 

After this ruling, it will be much more difficult for the US to meet its commitments to significantly curb greenhouse gas emissions under the 2015 Paris climate agreement. The decision also sets a precedent that may hobble other important efforts by federal agencies to protect the environment and public health.  

We must not get discouraged, as there are still avenues for our Senators and Representatives to make real progress to reduce carbon emissions. 

• Most immediately, we must urge Congress to do all it can to advance an ambitious climate agenda. 
• Congress is currently considering making significant investments in clean energy via tax credits for solar and wind power and for electric vehicles. Also under consideration is a fee on emissions of methane, one of the most powerful heat-trapping gasses. Swift positive action on those measures in this fiscal year is imperative. 
• Congress should work to provide EPA with clearer authority to adopt the most effective limits on carbon pollution from power plants. 

Scientists have warned that time is rapidly running out for solving the climate crisis and stopping ever more severe climate disasters. While the Supreme Court’s ruling removes one effective tool for reducing a major source of climate pollution, we must continue to push for expeditious action using every possible tool at every level. 

Grounding: We ground this action firmly in our 7th Principle “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” We also recognize as relevant here the 6th which suggests we are a community, the 5th which encourages the use of the democratic process, and the 4th which calls us to search for truth and meaning. We can not ignore the climate crisis.

Articles:

1. SCOTUS Blog: Supreme Court curtails EPA’s authority to fight climate change

2. The Hill: SCOTUS ruling ups pressure on Schumer to strike climate deal with Manchin

3. NYT: Court Decision Leaves Biden With Few Tools to Combat Climate Change

4. ICN: The Supreme Court’s EPA Ruling: A Loss of Authority for Federal Agencies or a Lesson for Conservatives in ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’?