John,
If you only have 30 seconds, read this:
When the experts in the room are no longer allowed to make critical decisions in their areas of expertise, our climate is most at risk. Unfortunately, this might just become our reality. An important historical doctrine, known as “Chevron Deference”, is currently being challenged in the Supreme Court.
Learn About "Chevron Deference" & Its Effect On Our Climate
Chevron Deference allows agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make informed decisions in their areas of expertise in court cases, crucial for climate policy. Two cases now threaten to overturn it, which could lead to less informed and potentially harmful decisions for the environment.
Check out our latest blog that offers a deeper understanding of the Chevron Deference Review and what’s at stake for climate and climate equity.
If you have 2 minutes to spare, read this:
The Chevron Deference is a doctrine established in the 1984 Supreme Court case Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, where the Court allowed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to define what “source” for a source of air pollution was under the Clean Air Act. The precedent became a crucial legal framework that empowered agencies to interpret laws in areas where they hold expertise. The Supreme Court would accept the agency’s input as long as it was not unreasonable.
However, this important doctrine is under threat from two legal cases – Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce. These cases aim to overturn Chevron Deference, which could significantly impact how future environmental laws are implemented and enforced.
While the Supreme Court must learn the details involved in cases presented to them, they are not experts. It's the agency's responsibility to learn the finer details, possess technical knowledge, engage with related stakeholders, and implement the law. So in the event of an unprecedented case where ambiguous issues arise, it’s best to refer to the subject-matter experts rather than have a judge attempt to make a less informed decision. Overturning Chevron Deference would leave future climate rulings and regulations in ill-informed and often biased hands.
To understand the full implications of what's at stake for our climate and climate equity, we invite you to read our latest blog post.
Find Out Why the Supreme Court’s Chevron Doctrine Review Matters
We will continue to monitor these court cases closely and update you on their outcomes and the broader implications for environmental policy and the well-being of our planet.
In solidarity,
— Dream.Org
