Supreme Court Upholds EPA Carbon Standards, A Win for Latino/a/e Communities and Climate Action

EPA’s Carbon Standards Remain Intact After Supreme Court Ruling

WASHINGTON—In a crucial victory for Latino/a/e and frontline communities, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an attempt by polluters to block the EPA’s carbon pollution standards for power plants. These standards will curb harmful emissions that drive the climate crisis, benefiting Latine families who are disproportionately impacted by pollution and the effects of the climate crisis. This ruling brings us closer to cleaner air and a healthier future by reducing the carbon pollution responsible for deadly heatwaves, wildfires, and storms. While this is a major win, the fight for climate justice continues.

Statement from Irene Burga, Climate Justice Advocate with GreenLatinos:

"The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reject big polluters' requests to halt the EPA’s carbon pollution standards for power plants is a crucial win for our climate and communities. For too long, power plants have operated without limits on carbon pollution, contributing to the extreme weather we’ve seen escalate—heatwaves, wildfires, and hurricanes. These standards will finally hold the dirtiest plants accountable for their environmental and health impacts.

Latino/a/e communities, especially those in frontline areas, have long borne the brunt of this pollution. Latine families are more likely to live near power plants, where poor air quality has led to high rates of asthma and respiratory illness. The EPA’s carbon standards will help reduce this toxic burden, improving air quality and health outcomes in our communities. This ruling is a step toward a clean energy future where all communities, especially those disproportionately affected by pollution, can breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives. GreenLatinos will continue to advocate for policies that protect our environment and ensure a just, inclusive transition to clean energy."

###

About GreenLatinos

GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.