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Rep Anna Eshoo

Eshoo Statement on Supreme Court’s Pro-Pollution Ruling

June 30, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement after the Supreme Court restricted the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to protect families from pollution by coal companies:

"As wildfires rage across our state, the Supreme Court today issued a major blow to our ability to fight the climate crisis that fuels these catastrophes. The Court blatantly ignored the amicus brief signed by nearly 200 Congressional Democrats, including myself, arguing that the Clean Air Act clearly empowers the EPA to protect Americans from pollution from power plants. Today's ruling severely restricts the Environmental Protection Agency from fulfilling its fundamental, namesake duty to protect the environment. The Court has caved to dirty energy and allowed polluters to poison our air and water and fuel environmental disasters, including wildfires, crumbling coastlines, and record-breaking storms.

"As Justice Kagan wrote in the dissent, with this ruling ‘the Court appoints itself – instead of Congress or the expert agency – the decision-maker on climate policy. I cannot think of many things more frightening.'

"This pro-pollution decision is the latest power grab by radical Justices to erase basic freedoms and attack the safety and security of the American people. We will not let this stand. Democrats will continue to pass legislation to enact strong environmental protections because time is running out to confront the climate crisis."

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