Not every federal agency has experience with incorporating cost estimates for damages caused by greenhouse gas emissions into their daily work, but that's going to change under President Joe Biden's new directive that all agencies must begin using them in their budgeting, procurement and permitting decisions.
Health groups, scientists, a labor federation, small businesses and environmentalists are urging the U.S. Supreme Court not to strike down a nearly 40-year-old precedent that allows judges to defer to federal agencies' interpretations of law in rulemaking disputes, arguing it's a valuable and reliable tool in administrative law cases.
The U.S. Supreme Court has already agreed to review two cases with important implications for environmental and administrative law during its 2023 term, and several more litigants are seeking the justices' attention on issues ranging from financial responsibility for Superfund cleanups to whether the federal government properly estimated the social costs of greenhouse gases.
As the United Nations General Assembly meets in New York City this week, a spotlight will shine brightly on countries' efforts to address climate change. Climate activists have promised to fill the streets, but in addition to protests and marches, they're increasingly turning to courts around the globe as a way to drive their policy goals.