Supreme Courts Limits EPA Program For Power Plants

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limits the Environmental Protection Agency’s program to deal with power plant and factory emissions of gases blamed for global warming.

The justices said Monday that the EPA lacks authority in some cases to force companies to evaluate ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This rule applies when a company needs a permit to expand facilities or build new ones that would increase overall pollution. Carbon dioxide is the chief gas linked to global warming.

The decision does not affect EPA proposals for first-time national standards for new and existing power plants.