On June 30th, the U.S. Supreme Court decision ruled for West Virginia and 18 other states in their quest to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) power to regulate energy industries such as coal. West Virginia v. EPA stated that the EPA did not have congressional authority to limit emissions at existing power plants.

Last week, ASLA announced its disappointment with this decision because it concluded that the ruling was a setback to global and the nation’s efforts to fight climate change. However, it also saw the need to work even closer with its partners on Capitol Hill and the Administration to craft legislation that would adequately grant the EPA the authority to regulate existing and future power plants. Specifically, ASLA believes that without such authority the EPA, and in turn the country, will be unable to make a dent on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2019, ASLA clearly stated its position on climate change. Much like its efforts on the 2021 Infrastructure Act, ASLA will develop and make recommendations on legislation that empowers the EPA and other agencies to protect communities from the growing impacts of climate change. And based on our 2021 survey, our members are already at the forefront of mitigating the climate crisis, through their climate change-driven design work.