Supreme Court Rules for San Francisco Against EPA's Authority

In a significant ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with San Francisco, declaring that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overstepped its authority under the Clean Water Act regarding sewage discharge permits. The 5-4 decision reversed a lower court's ruling, stating that the EPA cannot impose vague 'end-result' requirements that hold the city liable for overall water quality. Justice Samuel Alito emphasized that the EPA must set specific limits on discharges rather than generic prohibitions, which could lead to unfair penalties. The ruling has raised concerns among environmental advocates about potential implications for water protection efforts nationwide. Notably, Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the dissenting opinion, arguing that the decision could hinder the EPA's ability to effectively regulate pollution. This case marks a notable instance where a traditionally liberal city aligned with business interests against federal regulatory authority.