SCOTUS Rules That Air Pollution Restrictions Must Consider Costs to Businesses, Consumers
The Supreme Court on Monday in a 5-4 decision ruled that federal efforts to drastically limit power plant emissions must weigh the costs the initiatives could have on companies and consumers. The Environmental Protection Agency issued proposed regulations in 2012 to limit the amount of mercury and other potentially hazardous toxins emitted in the air by power companies. The rules were set to take full effect this year. EPA has estimated the regulations would provide annual health benefits worth between $37 billion and $90 billion, while complying with the rules costs an estimated $9.6 billion annually.
- "Supreme Court Blocks EPA's Air Pollution Rules for Power Plants" (Savage, Los Angeles Times, 6/29).