Press Releases

Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s latest ruling in EPA v. West Virginia, which fundamentally reshapes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory authority:

“Instead of empowering the EPA to clean up deadly toxins, this radical Supreme Court has granted another giveaway to corporate polluters at the expense of human health and the preservation of our communities. Make no mistake: this decision will set us back years in the fight against climate change. Now, instead of Congress passing a law and allowing the Administration the agility and scientific expertise to implement that law, every small regulation will require congressional approval. The High Court has adopted a deliberate slow-down of any effort to stop environmental disaster as floods, fires, drought, smog, and contaminated water devastate cities and towns across the U.S.” 

“Today’s decision is one in a series made by a shamelessly partisan Supreme Court which is completely out of step with public opinion. Recent polling found that 74 percent of voters are concerned about air and water pollution in their communities, including 57 percent of Republicans. We cannot allow six unelected extremists overrun our democracy. This decision and Dobbs have left no room for ambiguity— we must abolish the filibuster, expand the court, end partisan gerrymandering, and eliminate the undemocratic electoral college.”

###