On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision on West Virginia V. EPA, a crucial case concerning the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants under the Clean Air Act.

In response, the York County-based Young Evangelicals For Climate Action National Organizer and Spokesperson Tori Goebel released the following statement--

“Today, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court limited the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to reduce dangerous, climate-warming carbon emissions from the power sector. We are deeply troubled by this decision that undermines the authority of the very agency tasked with the mission ‘to protect human health and the environment.’

“Though this ruling is indeed disappointing, it does not alter reality. Today’s decision does not change how we must respond to climate change: boldly, quickly, and with love for our neighbors.

“Addressing climate change at the speed and scale required by science is as vital today as it was yesterday. Our leaders must use every tool and avenue at their disposal to take serious action.

“We are therefore calling on Congress to immediately pass the $555 billion in clean energy and climate investments included in the reconciliation bill.

“Now, more than ever, our leaders in Congress must fulfill their moral responsibility to boldly address the climate crisis and to stop politicizing our future. Young people are watching, and we will not accept anything less.”

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action is a national group of young evangelical Christians who are coming together and taking action to overcome the climate crisis as an expression of their Christian witness and discipleship.

The group is the youth wing of the York County-based Evangelical Environmental Network.

NewsClips:

-- NPR: EPA Prepares For Its ‘Counterpunch’ After The Supreme Court Ruling

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Supreme Court Ruling A Set-Back For Climate Regulations, But PA Retains Power To Set Carbon Pollution Limits, Lawyers Say

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: ‘Major Step Backward’: PA Groups React To Supreme Court Decision On Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

-- StateImpactPA/The Allegheny Front: U.S. Supreme Court Pushes U.S. Closer To ‘Climate Cliff,’ Say PA Environmental Leaders

-- TribLive: What Supreme Court’s EPA Ruling Means For Carbon Emissions In Pittsburgh, PA

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Supreme Court Hurts EPA’s Ability To Fight Carbon Pollution - By PennFuture

Related Articles:

-- U.S. Supreme Court Decision Did Not Affect EPA’s Ability To Regulate Carbon Dioxide As A Pollutant, Has No Impact On DEP's RGGI Power Plant Carbon Pollution Reduction Program  [PaEN]

-- Evangelical Environmental Network: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Of U.S. Supreme Court Decision On Regulating Carbon Pollution [PaEN]

-- Evangelical Environmental Network Testifies In Congress On Need To Defend Our Children’s Health & Taxpayers By Fixing Oil & Gas Facility Methane Leaks, Require Real Well Plugging Bonding  [PaEN]

[Posted: June 30, 2022]

7/4/2022