Supreme Court Decision Could Impact Environmental Regulations

In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the Chevron v. Natural Resources Council precedent, which had required courts to defer to federal agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous laws. This ruling, decided by a 6-3 vote, significantly shifts regulatory power from federal agencies to the courts and Congress. Experts warn that this could jeopardize federal regulations addressing pollution, such as PFAS and greenhouse gas emissions, and complicate the legislative process for environmental protections.
Michigan, however, may mitigate some regulatory gaps thanks to its recent repeal of a “no stricter than federal” law, allowing the state to implement more stringent environmental regulations than the federal government. The decision has raised concerns that courts, which may lack the technical expertise of regulatory agencies, could now play a larger role in determining the scope of environmental laws, potentially favoring business interests.
The ruling is expected to trigger numerous legal challenges, especially against federal agencies regulating emissions and pollution under statutes like the Clean Air Act. Experts emphasize the need for significant legislative action within Congress to address the regulatory void left by the Supreme Court’s decision.