High Court Rulings Good for Cleaner Energy

April 2, 2007

The Supreme Court's two rulings today on greenhouse gas emissions regulation and power plant cleanup represent truly conservative decisions that should speed momentum for developing cleaner energy sources, Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP), a national grassroots organization with a membership that includes Republican elected officials, said today.

"The decision that EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions removes one of the administration's excuses for opposing limits on emissions that put climate stability at risk," REP Government Affairs Director David Jenkins said.

"Ultimately, it's up to Congress to adopt a policy that caps emissions and creates economic incentives for accelerating development of cleaner energy technologies. There is growing support among citizens, business executives, religious leaders, and state elected officials for the U.S. to adopt a conservative policy that provides for responsible stewardship of the global climate. We hope that Congress and the administration will work together constructively on balanced, effective legislation over the next two years," Jenkins said.

In another positive ruling, the court unanimously upheld enforcement of Clean Air Act standards that require older power plants to upgrade their pollution controls if plant expansions lead to higher emissions.

"The court's ruling should make every true conservative cheer. Power plant owners will be required to take responsibility for minimizing harm caused by their facilities. Older power plants, many decades old, need up-to-date pollution controls in order to cut harmful emissions that endanger public health, cause acid rain, and degrade air quality in national parks. In addition, the required retrofits will ensure a level competitive playing field for newer, cleaner power plants," REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso said.