Statement from LWVPA on West Virginia v. EPA
By Kathy Cook, Director of Environmental Policy
Yesterday, the Supreme Court decided in West Virginia v. EPA to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Federal Clean Air Act. The conservative-majority Court found that the agency lacked the “clear congressional authorization” to regulate the energy industry.
In this decision, the Court is protecting corporate interests over the health of our people and environment at a dangerous time in climate activism. A recent report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that there was an urgent need to shift away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy technologies to reduce the negative effects of global warming, stating that “harmful carbon emissions have never been higher in history.”
This ruling, however, directly limits the EPA’s ability to regulate the energy industry, and shift power production from coal to renewable energies.
This decision has far-reaching implications for climate policy nationwide as the challenge to the EPA’s regulatory power puts the climate fight into the hands of state and local government. We must call on our representatives in Congress to solidify the regulatory authority of the EPA in limiting carbon emissions. Additionally, local governments must act fast, ensuring that this ruling does not allow private interests to further contribute to climate change.
As a non-partisan organization, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania wants to cut through the rhetoric and provide constituents the information they need to make their own decisions. Here in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act (APCA) gives the state the authority to control and abate air pollution within our borders. This power is not affected by the West Virginia v. EPA ruling. Pennsylvania, starting tomorrow, will be participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) which cuts carbon pollution, creates new energy jobs and invests in ways to reduce energy costs for families and businesses.
Our state citizens must do all they can to mitigate climate change, and one way to contribute is to support Pennsylvania staying in the RGGI. Lobbies backed by fossil fuel interests are fighting to stop RGGI. We must not let the fossil fuel industry’s corporate greed advance their misguided agenda. We must stand with the science and work for climate change mitigation.
Standing with 138 countries and countless environmental scientists and advocacy groups, the League of Women Voters US and League of Women Voters PA have declared a Climate Emergency.
Please join the League of Women Voters Pennsylvania in our effort to create a sustainable future for all Pennsylvanians.
Join our League or get involved with our environmental work by contacting environmentalpolicy@palwv.org.