On Wednesday, October 16, the Supreme Court denied requests from industry groups and state attorneys general to freeze the EPA’s new safeguards on carbon pollution from power plants. In its order, the court stated that the rule would remain in place as proceedings take place in lower courts. This decision marks the third time this term that the Supreme Court has declined to block new EPA rules on harmful and/or climate warming pollution, including safeguards on methane emissions and air toxics. 

In response to the court’s decision, EEN President & CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman released the following statement: 

“As Evangelicals committed to defending the sanctity of life, we are grateful for the Supreme Court’s decision allowing critical carbon pollution safeguards to continue to move forward. Carbon pollution from power plants is a top driver of dangerous climate-fueled disasters, like Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as excruciating extreme heat that baked counties across the country this summer. Unhealthy air and unnatural disasters threaten American lives and livelihoods. This decision puts the health and safety of vulnerable Americans first as the judicial process plays out. While we prefer market-based solutions, given the persistent inaction and unwillingness by the power sector to voluntarily clean up their act, we welcome these commonsense pollution safeguards and stand committed to seeing them fully implemented to ensure all God’s children have a healthy environment and safe climate to thrive in.”