The US Supreme Court has limited the ability of America’s top environmental regulator to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in a landmark ruling that deals a blow to the Biden administration’s fight against climate change.
In a majority opinion authored by chief justice John Roberts, the justices ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency was not specifically authorised by Congress to reduce carbon emissions when it was set up in 1970. The ruling leaves the Biden administration dependent on passing congressional legislation if it wants to implement sweeping regulations to curb emissions.
The opinion from the majority-conservative court said that “a decision of such magnitude and consequence rests with Congress itself, or an agency acting pursuant to a clear delegation from that representative body”.