Congressman Sires’ Statement on the Supreme Court’s Decision Weakening the Authority of the EPA

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Sires released the following statement: 

“Today the Supreme Court once again demonstrated that it is an unserious institution that does not give thought to how its actions will affect millions of Americans. The Court decided that the Environmental Protection Agency cannot regulate carbon emissions and pollutants from power plants, effectively preventing the EPA from addressing the greatest contributors to the climate crisis. The ruling also states that the EPA cannot enact regulation on greenhouse gas emissions unless explicitly delegated by Congress. Congress intentionally writes broad delegations of power to administrative agencies to enable them to respond effectively when problems arise. This catastrophic decision by politicians in robes will make it nearly impossible for the federal government to promptly address new and emerging problems, and renders ineffective the power and authority of executive agencies to respond to the climate crisisand a host of other concerns. At a time when communities across the country are experiencing unprecedented heat waves, droughts, wildfires, extreme flooding, and other climate-related calamities, the Supreme Court has flippantly obstructed climate action by the federal government. This decision is a disaster for the health and wellbeing of Americans, and will now make it infinitely more challenging to prevent the worst outcomes of the climate crisis.”

###