The Supreme Court ruling limits the EPA’s authority to effect sweeping policies experts say are necessary to reduce greenhouse emissions.
In a 6-3 decision Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative bloc significantly limited the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to address climate change, experts say. But the decision could have even wider implications.
The ruling marks a major inflection point in two key storylines. Groups pushing for more robust action on climate, which scientists warn is needed to ward off a collection of global catastrophes ahead, say the decision handicaps the federal government’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. energy sector, the second largest contributor of such pollutants after transportation.