WASHINGTON—Climate activists staged a mock funeral procession outside the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters on Tuesday, symbolizing what they called the "death" of a landmark Obama-era climate regulation recently overturned by a federal court. Participants carried a coffin labeled "Clean Air Future" and delivered eulogies criticizing the Biden administration for not appealing the ruling.
The contested rule, originally enacted in 2015, aimed to limit carbon emissions from power plants. Analysts say its repeal could delay U.S. climate goals by a decade. "This was our best tool to transition from coal," said a policy advisor from the Natural Resources Defense Council, speaking anonymously due to ongoing litigation.
Legal experts note the court’s decision hinged on the "major questions" doctrine, which restricts agencies from implementing sweeping policies without explicit congressional approval. The EPA has yet to announce whether it will petition the Supreme Court.
With midterm elections approaching, the rollback could energize both environmental voters and fossil fuel interests. Some Democratic strategists privately worry the issue may dampen youth turnout, while Republicans frame the court’s decision as a win for energy independence.