Several conservative justices were skeptical of the administration’s “good neighbor” rule on cross-state pollution, meant to protect downwind states from harmful emissions.

Several conservative justices were skeptical of the administration’s “good neighbor” rule on cross-state pollution, meant to protect downwind states from harmful emissions.

Members of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority seemed inclined on Wednesday to again limit the Biden administration’s ability to protect the environment by temporarily stopping an effort by the Environmental Protection Agency to curtail air pollution that drifts across state lines.

Such a decision, expected by June, would be in keeping with recent rulings by the court, which has chipped away at the agency’s authority to address climate change and water pollution.

The new cases concerned the administration’s “good neighbor” plan. Under the proposal, which initially applied to 23 states, factories and power plants in Western and Midwestern states must cut ozone pollution that drifts into Eastern states.

The justices appeared to be divided along familiar lines on whether to block the plan, which directs states to take measures meant to reduce emissions that cause smog and are linked to asthma, lung disease and premature death.

Non-paywall link

  • ceenote@lemmy.world
    79·
    4 months ago

    Why is it that the only rights conservatives ever want to protect involve being an asshole?

      • snooggums@midwest.socialEnglish
        23·
        4 months ago

        In the case of Thomas, they are assholes being bribed by assholes.

        I assume the same is true for the rest of the conservatives, he just happens to be the one that was caught.

        • SolidGrue@lemmy.worldEnglish
          6·
          4 months ago

          In Thomas’s case, he set out to he an asshole from the start. That other assholes were willing to pay him for his trouble is just gravy.

          • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
            4·
            4 months ago

            I am guessing you saw Sunday’s Last Week Tonight as well? Absolutely right. Harlan Crow and the others aren’t telling him how to vote. They know he’ll reliably vote in their favor. They’re telling him not to retire.

            • SolidGrue@lemmy.worldEnglish
              2·
              4 months ago

              I read some fringe piece some years ago about Justice “Uncle” Thomas and how he was radicalized in college, only to later seek a Supreme Court seat where he would exact some sort of revenge for the topic of his radicalism. Also, how he’s angry about being dragged over Anita Hill in his confirmation hearings.

              Like I said, fringe piece. It all reads like retcon to me but then, again, look at his rulings.

              edit: I don’t care what keyboard says, i said r e t c o n

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
      141·
      4 months ago

      To quote Jon Stewart on Monday… “I know I’ve said this before, but you’re such a dick.” He was specifically talking about Tucker Carlson, but you can apply it to any conservative and it’s accurate.

    • Socsa@sh.itjust.works
      6·
      4 months ago

      In all seriousness, because conservatives lack the ability to understand that playing nice and not being an asshole is actually how you avoid needing a bunch of increasingly complex regulations in the first place

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
    251·
    4 months ago

    Ah. Put factory at Illinois border, let wind blow pollution into Indiana. No pesky problems with being unable to beat Illinois emissions regulations, Indiana can’t do shit. Some people are going to get rich. A lot more are going to die.

    • Donjuanme@lemmy.world
      3·
      4 months ago

      If the wind shifts turn off the plant for a while, wouldn’t want to be regulated in the state you’re in.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
        4·
        4 months ago

        Genius idea: Put the plant across the state line. Turn on different smokestacks depending on which way the wind is blowing!