1、CRS Legal Sidebar Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Legal SidebarLegal Sidebari i Congresss Delegation of “Major Questions”: The Supreme Courts Review of EPAs Authority to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions May Have Broad Impacts December 7, 2021 The U.S. Supreme Courts forthcoming ruli
2、ng in West Virginia v. EPA will likely play a pivotal role in how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA). On October 29, 2021, the Court agreed to review the scope of EPAs authority to regulate GHG emissions from existing
3、 coal-fired electric utility generating units, also known as power plants. Legal battles over EPAs authority to curb GHG emissions from power plants started before the agencys first rule, the Clean Power Plan (CPP), was finalized in August 2015. The Supreme Courts ruling in West Virginia v. EPA coul
4、d have ramifications beyond the environmental law context. The Court has been asked to address the extent that Congress may delegate to federal agencies the authority to regulate matters that have significant economic and political impacts. A decision to limit EPAs authority could spark challenges t
