Permits for greenhouse gas emissions
Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection Agency
In brief
The Supreme Court left part of the appeals court’s ruling in place and overturned another part.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 5-4 · June 23, 2014 · Opinion by Justice Scalia
- What it’s about
- Utility Air Regulatory Group challenged the EPA’s use of Clean Air Act rules to require greenhouse-gas permits for stationary sources after the agency regulated greenhouse gases from new vehicles.
- Who it affects
- The ruling affects the dispute over EPA greenhouse-gas permit rules for stationary sources, but the stated action does not identify which specific permit duties remain.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court partly agreed with and partly overturned the appeals court’s judgment.
The dispute followed EPA’s regulation of greenhouse-gas emissions from new vehicles and its use of Clean Air Act permit rules for stationary sources.
Question presented
Did the EPA permissibly determine that its regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act also triggered permit requirements for stationary sources of greenhouse gas emissions?
What the Court decided
Holding
The judgment is affirmed in part and reversed in part. 684 F. 3d 102, affirmed in part and reversed in part.
The vote
From the opinions
“And in order to make those provisions apply to greenhouse gases in a way that does not produce absurd results, the EPA effectively amended the Act.”
What's next
The decision is in place, but the stated action does not identify further proceedings for the appeals court or specific follow-up steps for EPA or affected stationary sources.
Documents
Opinions
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Opinion added: Utility Air
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.