While the Justice Department plans to appeal the temporary injunction, the decision is a stark reminder of how the courts can stall or stop progress on climate change.
John,
A federal judge in Louisana has ruled that the Biden administration cannot consider the real-world costs of climate change when deciding on a wide range of issues, from oil and gas lease sales to infrastructure spending.
While the Justice Department plans to appeal the temporary injunction, the decision is a stark reminder of how the courts can stall or stop progress on climate change.
The Louisiana judge, a Trump appointee, sided with ten Republican attorneys general, who argued that President Biden lacks the authority to raise the “social cost of carbon” — or climate metric — under the Constitution. The judge contended only Congress has the power to raise the climate metric.
Immediately after the court ruling, Biden administration officials estimated 21 rulemakings in the Energy Department, five in the Environmental Protection Agency, and three in the Interior Department were directly affected and could not move forward.
Additionally, Transportation Department officials are concerned there could be months-long delays for rail and transit project grants until the decision is reversed.
John, conservative and right-wing judges have the power to prevent climate change action. That’s why it’s essential we have SEEC members in the House and Senate who will pass legislation codifying efforts to reduce climate change and appoint judges who will uphold those efforts.
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