Rewriting the Rules: The Supreme Court's Landmark Decision on Clean Water Act Permits
[WEBINAR] Fairly (or Unfairly?) Traceable: Are Discharges Through Groundwater Subject to the Clean Water Act?
In a much-anticipated decision, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly narrowed the EPA's authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to impose so-called "end-result" requirements in NPDES permits. These "end-result" requirements...more
The landmark decision alters the NPDES permit landscape, shifting the focus to specific actions over general outcomes....more
On March 4, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that prohibits the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA” or “the Agency”) from setting qualitative limits based on the condition of the “receiving waters” that...more
On March 4, the U.S. Supreme Court (“SCOTUS” or the “Court”) issued a decision in San Francisco v. EPA that invalidated certain “end-result” water quality limitations in NPDES permits — specifically, those that “do not spell...more
On Tuesday, March 4, the United States Supreme Court issued a major decision limiting the scope of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA) as relates to permits governing...more
On March 4, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in the case City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency, in which it held that “end-result” requirements routinely imposed by the U.S....more
In a 5-4 ruling on March 4, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lacks authority to impose Clean Water Act (CWA) conditions in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)...more
The Supreme Court of the United States (“Court”) issued an Opinion on March 4th in the case styled: City and County of San Francisco, California v. Environmental Protection Agency. See No. 23-753....more
On March 4, 2025 the Supreme Court overturned the 9th Circuit to rule in favor of the City of San Francisco in a landmark Clean Water Act case. The EPA authorizes states to issue National Pollutant Discharge Elimination...more
EarthJustice and other environmental/community organizations have filed a joint Amici Curai Brief in the United States Supreme Court styled: City and County of San Francisco v. EPA (“Brief”). See Docket No. 23-753....more
Various municipalities and public wastewater and stormwater utilities have filed a joint Amici Curiae brief in the United States Supreme Court Case styled: City and County of San Francisco v EPA...more
As predicted in February, our nation's highest court is about to hear its third Clean Water Act in four years. Anyone who doubts the outcome of this case hasn't read the other two Supreme Court opinions and that brings to...more
Today, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in one case: San Francisco v. EPA, No. 23-753: This case involves interpretation of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and its National Pollutant Discharge...more
This week our nation's highest court was scheduled to discuss whether to hear the City and County of San Francisco's appeal of a split Ninth Circuit decision upholding an EPA NPDES permit issued to the City and County...more
Last week, EPA released its proposed “Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule”. The proposed rule would make a number of significant changes to the rule promulgated by EPA in 2020....more