On October 4, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a rare environmental victory for the Biden administration by upholding federal regulations aimed at reducing methane and mercury emissions. These rules, implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), faced fierce opposition from a coalition of Republican-led states and industry groups representing oil, gas, and coal interests.
Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is known to trap heat more effectively than carbon dioxide, contributing significantly to climate change. The EPA’s rule focuses on limiting leaks and emissions from oil and gas facilities, while the mercury regulation targets coal-fired power plants, which emit dangerous neurotoxins. These rules are seen as critical components of Biden’s broader climate strategy, seeking to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The Supreme Court’s decision is particularly significant, given its recent history of limiting the EPA’s regulatory powers. Just last year, the court curbed the agency’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. However, in this case, the court allowed the Biden administration’s rules to remain in effect while ongoing legal challenges continue in lower courts.
This decision underscores the administration’s ability to implement more aggressive climate actions, even in the face of substantial political and legal resistance. The EPA’s victory is a temporary reprieve in an increasingly polarized debate over environmental regulation and may set a precedent for future cases concerning air quality and public health
