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Family on boardwalk Join today and get outside at one of our 60+ wildlife sanctuaries.

Mass Audubon Statement on Today’s Devastating Supreme Court Decision in West Virginia v. EPA

Press Release
June 30, 2022

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling in West Virginia v EPA now sharply curtails the EPA’s ability to regulate climate inducing pollution under the Clean Air Act. This is a disastrous decision, and makes it clearer than ever that we need Congress to act on climate,” explains David J. O’Neill, President, Mass Audubon.

In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled in Massachusetts vs. EPA that the Clean Air Act enables the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to place limits on greenhouse gas emissions because these pollutants are clearly harmful to public health and the environment. This critical ruling signaled to the world that the U.S. had the legal foundation to begin regulating climate pollutants, whose negative effects compound with each passing day of inaction on climate by our federal government.

The Massachusetts state legislature has set the course: through the groundbreaking Next Generation Climate Roadmap law, Massachusetts requires climate action in each sector of the economy. Congress needs to follow suit, by immediately passing climate legislation that catalyzes meaningful and effective climate solutions.

Mass Audubon and its supporters will organize, mobilize, and fight in Washington, on Beacon Hill, and in every corner of the state to ensure a clean and prosperous future is within our grasp.

About Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.

Media Contact:

Michael P. O'Connor

press release
climate change