The US Supreme Court has issued an opinion that overturns the longstanding legal principle of Chevron deference.

The policy, created by the U.S. Supreme Court 40 years ago, has deferred to federal agencies’ discretion and expertise in regulation. The decision reverses the principle, allowing federal judges, rather than administrative experts, to determine whether and how an agency can interpret and implement the law.

Friends of the Earth’s legal director, Hallie Templeton, issued the following statement in response: “Today’s reprehensible decision throws out 40 years of principle and opens the door for corporations to more easily challenge basic and essential protections for clean air, clean water, our environment and much more.”

The decision means that there will no longer be an expert view of regulation but devolved to the interpretation of the law. FoE certainly feels that such a move is regressive, allowing for politically motivated judgements and greater corporate influence.

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