Supreme Court Slashes EPA’s Ability to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the Supreme Court issued a final decision on West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a historic case on EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.  

Following is a statement from Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) on this decision: 

“With the stroke of a pen, the Supreme Court sharply curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.  

“While many top corporations are stepping up and taking ownership of their carbon emissions, the reality is not everyone is moving in the same direction, and we’re running out of time to take meaningful action on climate change. Climate change is having a real and immediate impact on our economy and way of life, and brown and black communities are continuing to bear the brunt of decades of government inaction on carbon-polluting businesses. 

“EPA has the expertise and means to execute a thoughtful strategy on curbing carbon emissions and stripping them of this power will only make it harder to reach our decarbonization goals. The federal government has both the authority and responsibility to protect Americans from the detrimental effects of pollution and regulating the actions of fossil-polluting sources is a necessary next step in the fight against climate change.  

“Solar will continue to grow, because customers want clean power and solar is the most cost-effective source of clean energy. The Supreme Court has added unnecessary barriers that will only slow clean energy deployment when we should be focused on addressing the climate crisis. 

“The power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions rests with Congress, and it is more urgent than ever that Congress take swift action to codify climate protecting policies that will also advance America’s clean energy deployment at a more rapid pace.”  

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About SEIA®: 

The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org and follow @SEIA on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

Media Contact: 

Ellie Long, SEIA Communications Manager, elong@seia.org, 202-556-2890