"Supreme Court Shot-Or-Test Rule Freeze Hits Agency Powers"

"The Supreme Court’s order yesterday blocking vaccine-or-test requirements for large employers sent a daunting message to environmental lawyers.

Legal observers say the court, which is now dominated by six conservative justices, has signaled its interest in reining in the regulatory authority of federal agencies. And EPA could be next.

“The writing’s definitely on the wall,” said Robert Percival, director at the environmental law program at the University of Maryland.

Yesterday’s decision froze the Biden administration’s mandate that companies with 100 or more employees require staff either to get vaccinated against Covid-19 or wear masks and test weekly to reduce the spread of the virus. The court issued a separate order yesterday allowing a more limited vaccine requirement for certain health care workers."

Pamela King reports for E&E News January 14, 2022.

Source: E&E News, 01/17/2022