Justices hear arguments in sweeping environmental cases (UPDATE)
By: Associated Press
April 12, 2021
9:35 am
By TODD RICHMOND
Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard a pair of far-reaching environmental lawsuits on Monday that could define the limits of factory farming and high-capacity well regulations and determine how far state agencies can go when interpreting state law.
The justices heard oral arguments in both cases, concluding they hinge on whether a law Republicans passed in 2011 limiting agencies’ powers trumps the Department of Natural Resources’ broad authority to protect Wisconsin’s waters.
It was unclear when the court might rule. A decision that the law limits agency discretion could force departments across state government to spend years writing new rules to give themselves the authority to impose regulations on a case-by-case basis. That could set up innumerable clashes with Republican legislators, who have the final say on agency rules and already believe the executive branch oversteps its authority.