NRDC: Supreme Court OKs Power Plant Rules

WASHINGTON - In a win for the climate, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an attempt by industry groups and some states to halt the Environmental Protection Agency's carbon rules for power plants.

NRDC and other environmental groups intervened in the lawsuit to oppose the industry's stay request. This is the third industry "emergency" appeal on EPA standards that the High Court rejected this month.

The following is a statement from Meredith Hankins, a senior attorney at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

"Given its rulings in recent years undercutting environmental protections, the refusal of the majority on the Supreme Court to block this vital rule is a victory for common sense. This warrants a sigh of relief from the millions of Americans experiencing the impact of the climate crisis.

"Today's ruling rejects the latest abuse of the Supreme Court's shadow docket by industry and some state attorneys general. The high court made the right call.

"The Supreme Court evidently saw through their phony arguments. Power producers don't need immediate relief from modest standards that kick in eight years from now. And states have plenty of time to begin their planning process.

"Now the case goes back to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is moving quickly to decide the merits of this case. We will be helping to defend the standards there. The climate crisis demands that we do."

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).