Ruling by the court, which has a Republican super majority, undermines the 1972 Clean Water Act

Summary

In a 5-4 decision, the US Supreme Court weakened the Clean Water Act by limiting the EPA’s authority to issue generic water quality standards.

The majority, led by Justice Alito, ruled that the EPA must impose specific pollutant limits instead of broad, “end result” requirements. The city of San Francisco prevailed, challenging the EPA’s narrative-based permits for sewage discharges.

Dissenters, led by Justice Barrett, argued the law authorizes stronger measures to protect water supplies.

The case marks the first significant Clean Water Act challenge since Chevron deference was overturned in 2024.

  • @[email protected]
    32•2 days ago

    In a 5-4 ruling written by Justice Samuel Alito, the court blocked the EPA from issuing permits that make a permittee responsible for surface water quality, or “end result” permits – a new term coined by the court.

    I also don’t know, but get really suspicious if Alito needs to invent a “new term” to frame the case with

    • Cosmic ClericEnglish
      3•2 days ago

      I also don’t know, but get really suspicious if Alito needs to invent a “new term” to frame the case with

      Yeah, there’s definitely a " ‘WTF?’ Factor" going on with that.

      I can’t wait to hear what the Legal Eagle on YouTube says about that.

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