Supreme Court

Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired steam plant near Page, Arizona.

The Inflation Reduction Act's Secret Climate Weapon

While the impact on inflation of the questionably-titled Inflation Reduction Act remains to be seen, the law will mitigate the damage done by a landmark Supreme Court case in June that gutted the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

September 1, 2022 - The New York Times

Coal Mining and Power Station

Did the Supreme Court Gut Federal Power?

The Supreme Court limited the EPA's power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Some commentators believe that this decision will virtually eliminate EPA power—but the decision is too ambiguous to support such a clear conclusion.

July 3, 2022 - Michael Lewyn

New Jersey Power Plant

Supreme Court Guts the U.S. EPA’s Ability to Limit Carbon Emissions

The consequences of this ruling have long been foretold. With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now officially barred from the fight against climate change, Congress will have to act to reduce carbon emissions.

June 30, 2022 - Yahoo News

A close up image of the exterior of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda illuminated at dusk.

Senate Vote Illustrates America's Polarized Response to Pandemic

A Senate joint resolution to roll back the Biden administration's only vaccine mandate to be upheld by the Supreme Court passed on a party-line vote on March 2. In Europe, the legislative branch often needs to approve these measures to become law.

March 7, 2022 - The New York Times

The exterior of the U.S. Supreme Court, with an American flag flying above its large columns and white marble exterior.

Supreme Court: OSHA Exceeded its Public Health Authority

The Supreme Court ruled that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had overreached its authority to protect the health of workers in large private companies. In a separate decision, it upheld a vaccine mandate for most healthcare workers.

January 18, 2022 - The New York Times

Billboard Flag

Supreme Court Case Could Transform Sign Regulations

If the Supreme Court upholds a lower court decision, cities could lose a long-standing right to regulate 'off-premises' billboards.

November 9, 2021 - American Planning Association

Factory Emissions

Supreme Court To Hear Challenge to EPA Powers

The Court's decision could limit the agency's authority to regulate carbon emissions in the power sector.

November 2, 2021 - Bloomberg

Supreme Court of the United States

Supreme Court Strikes Down Federal Eviction Moratorium

The majority opinion claims the CDC overstepped its authority and calls for congressional approval of any further eviction moratoriums.

August 29, 2021 - New York Times

U.S. Supreme Court

Amy Coney Barrett's Only Property Rights Ruling, Careful, Narrow, Deferential

A month ago, Barrett dismissed a challenge to Chicago's deal with the Obama Center by rejecting a very expansive claim of a "taking" under the 5th Amendment and by showing great deference to the city.

September 28, 2020 - California Planning & Development Report

Supreme Court

Supreme Court Refuses Landmark Homelessness Case

A closely watched court case related to how cities deal with homeless people sleeping in public, Martin v. Boise, will not get hearing with the U.S. Supreme Court.

December 16, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Homeless Seattle

Supreme Court Could Decide on Homeless Public Sleeping

The Supreme Court will be considering for the first time whether the Constitution gives homeless people a right to sleep on the sidewalk.

December 9, 2019 - Idaho Statesman

U.S. Supreme Court

Inclusionary Zoning and the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court might decide on the constitutionality of inclusionary zoning. Local land use regulations and affordable housing policies in cities and communities all over the country hang in the balance.

October 10, 2019 - CityLab

Supreme Court of the United States

The New Supreme Court and the Future of Fair Housing

The retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy introduces the possibility that a future court will overturn the doctrine of disparate impact central to fair housing practices and policies.

July 2, 2018 - CityLab

Supreme Court

A Church Playground Controversy Grew Into a Supreme Court Decision

A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court this week could reframe the separation of church and state, especially with regard to the flow of public funding and aid programs.

June 27, 2017 - The Atlantic

Supreme Court

Justice Scalia and the Takings Clause

Summarizes Justice Scalia's most important Takings Clause decisions.

February 18, 2016 - Michael Lewyn

How Antonin Scalia's Death May Affect the Paris Climate Accord

Scalia's death means that the Supreme Court is left with eight remaining judges. In the case of a tie vote, the decision from a lower court is upheld with some restrictions. A tie vote on the Clean Power Plan may be good news for the environment.

February 16, 2016 - Vox

Supreme Court Puts Obama's Key Climate Initiative on 'Hold'

In an unusual move that doesn't portend well for the EPA initiative, the Supreme Court ruled that the Clean Power Plan Rule that reduces emissions from existing power plants be suspended while it is heard by the Court of Appeals this summer.

February 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Texas Drought

A State of Thirst

In the middle of a population boom, Texas is looking across state lines for more water. The U.S. Supreme Court said no the first time; does that mean it will say no again?

August 19, 2015 - Katharine Jose

Record Environmental Settlement Reached in 2010 BP Gulf Oil Spill

While a judge must approve the historic $18.7 billion settlement reached July 2, the United States and the five Gulf States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas have agreed to the settlement, along with BP.

July 6, 2015 - USA Today

Opinion: Supreme Court Ruling on EPA's Mercury Rule Will Have Little Effect

When the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against the Environmental Protection Agency on June 29, it appeared as a blow against mercury regulation by the EPA and a victory for coal power plants. David Roberts of Vox looks closer and finds that's not the case

July 5, 2015 - Vox

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"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.