Court Ruling Challenges White House's Environmental Regulatory Authority

A federal appeals court decision questions the Council on Environmental Quality's power to issue binding environmental regulations.

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) lacks the authority to issue binding regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The decision stems from a case involving the Federal Aviation Administration and its compliance with NEPA regarding air tours over national parks.
The ruling challenges a longstanding practice initiated by an executive order from President Carter in 1977, which allowed CEQ to issue regulations rather than guidelines.
This development raises concerns about potential regulatory confusion and the consistency of environmental reviews across federal agencies.
The ruling may face further legal challenges, and its implications could extend to broader presidential oversight of federal agencies.