President Biden, EPA, renewable leaders call Supreme Court decision step backwards

In Washington, D.C., President Biden, the EPA and renewable energy leaders are disappointed in the Supreme Court decision in West Virginia v. EPA that curtails the EPA’s ability to limit emissions from the energy sector and making it harder than ever for the EPA to regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants as well as new pollution sources.

President Biden said, “The Supreme Court’s ruling in West Virginia vs. EPA is another devastating decision that aims to take our country backwards. While this decision risks damaging our nation’s ability to keep our air clean and combat climate change, I will not relent in using my lawful authorities to protect public health and tackle the climate crisis. I have directed my legal team to work with the Department of Justice and affected agencies to review this decision carefully and find ways that we can, under federal law, continue protecting Americans from harmful pollution, including pollution that causes climate change.”

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said, “As a public health agency, EPA’s number one responsibility is to protect people’s health, especially those who are on the front lines of environmental pollution. Make no mistake: we will never waver from that responsibility. While I am deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision, we are committed to using the full scope of EPA’s authorities to protect communities and reduce the pollution that is driving climate change. We will move forward to provide certainty and transparency for the energy sector, which will support the industry’s ongoing efforts to grow our clean energy economy.”

John Begala, Vice President of Federal and State Policy at the Business Network for Offshore Wind said, “Today’s ruling is a step backward. The trajectory is clear – states, utilities, and consumers are demanding more renewable energy to create jobs and combat climate change. Offshore wind will play a critical role in this transition as a provider of clean, reliable, and affordable energy while creating 77,000 well-paying jobs for welders, technicians, factory workers, and ship captains.