Supreme Court Reshapes Environmental Policies: Legal Setbacks and Business Boons

The U.S. Supreme Court has curtailed environmental protections, favoring business interests in recent rulings. The court limited the EPA's authority, narrowed federal environmental obligations, and eased project scrutiny. These decisions mark a substantial judicial realignment affecting U.S. environmental policy enforcement and regulatory agency power.

The U.S. Supreme Court has recently delivered a series of rulings that impose significant limitations on environmental protections, siding with business interests. In a trend that could benefit businesses, the court has further restricted the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) authority and relaxed environmental impact study requirements for proposed projects.

Wendy Park from the Center for Biological Diversity expressed concern over the rulings, noting the potential for compromised air and water quality, alongside exacerbated climate change. Of particular note is a ruling involving a Utah railway project where federal agency obligations to conduct comprehensive environmental reviews were reduced, thanks to an 8-0 judgment penned by Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Lawrence experts suggest these decisions follow a growing trend against federal environmental protection within the court. Meanwhile, rulings limiting the EPA's power may ultimately require lower courts to defer more to federal agencies when reviewing projects, potentially accelerating the approval process for infrastructure developments.

(With inputs from agencies.)