Implications of the West Virginia v. EPA Decision

The West Virginia v. EPA decision addressed the Clean Power Plan, an Obama-era regulation that aimed to address emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants. The Supreme Court took up the case to examine the major questions doctrine, which questions the authority of federal agencies to impose significant regulations without clear authorization from Congress. While the court acknowledged the existence of the major questions doctrine, the decision did not provide clear guidance on its application. However, this decision has emboldened those who oppose federal regulations, as it presents an opportunity to challenge a wide range of federal regulations, from fuel efficiency standards to climate disclosure rules.