The Supreme Court has allowed a Biden administration regulation aimed at limiting carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants to remain in effect while legal challenges continue.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to block a Biden administration regulation targeting coal-fired power plants for carbon emissions. The court rejected a request from Republican-led states and industry groups to halt the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule while legal challenges proceed. This decision allows the regulation to remain in effect.
The EPA rule requires many coal plants to capture 90% of their carbon emissions or shut down within eight years. The regulation is part of President Joe Biden’s broader agenda to eliminate carbon pollution from the electricity sector by 2035. Compliance deadlines for the rule do not take effect until June 2025, and legal challenges are expected to continue in the D.C. Circuit Court.
Justice Clarence Thomas dissented from the decision, while Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch noted that challengers have a "strong likelihood of success" but do not face immediate harm due to the distant compliance deadlines. Justice Samuel Alito did not participate in the case, likely due to his financial ties to a company involved in the challenge.
The National Mining Association, which opposes the rule, argued that it imposes unrealistic standards on the coal industry and would result in higher energy costs for consumers. “If this rule is allowed to stand, the results for the American people and economy will be catastrophic,” said Rich Nolan, president and CEO of the association. On the other hand, environmental groups praised the decision, with the Natural Resources Defense Council calling it a victory for “common sense” and a step toward addressing the "climate crisis."
This ruling follows other recent decisions by the Supreme Court allowing environmental regulations to remain in place, including those aimed at reducing methane emissions and controlling mercury pollution from power plants. However, the court has been more conservative on broader environmental issues in recent years, including limiting the EPA’s authority in a landmark 2022 ruling.
