Court Halts EPA's Title VI Disparate Impact Regulations in Louisiana
A federal district court has granted Louisiana's request to temporarily halt the EPA and DOJ from enforcing Title VI disparate impact regulations. This move comes after Louisiana argued that the EPA's requirements exceed its statutory authority and following EPA's closure of related investigations.
The court ruled that Louisiana has the right to challenge these regulations, as EPA could potentially reinstate them. The preliminary injunction does not impact other environmental justice considerations or recent court findings. Permit applicants are advised to maintain thorough environmental justice analyses in their records.
The lawsuit, Louisiana v. EPA, was initiated after EPA-led investigations into Louisiana's air permitting decisions. EPA had sought to mandate disparate and cumulative impact analyses as a prerequisite for federal funding.
The court's decision temporarily prevents EPA and DOJ from enforcing Title VI disparate impact regulations in Louisiana. The case, Louisiana v. EPA, continues, with Louisiana arguing that these requirements are beyond EPA's authority. Permit applicants should remain vigilant in their environmental justice analyses.
