The US Supreme Court has affirmed the US environmental regulator’s authority to control greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and industry, but put limits on its ability to require pollution permits from small emitters.
The ruling on Monday was cheered by environmental groups as a victory in the fight against climate change, but it was also welcomed by US businesses that had opposed permit requirements that they said would burden small companies.
The court’s decision does nothing to impede the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest plan to cut carbon dioxide pollution from power plants by 30 per cent, although those proposed cuts are likely to face separate legal challenges.