Overview

• The Supreme Court is considering a case where San Francisco challenges the EPA's authority to hold the city responsible for overall water quality, not just its own discharges.
• San Francisco contends that the EPA's standards are vague and could lead to enormous fines, arguing it should only be accountable for pollutants directly from its sewage systems.
• The conservative majority of the Supreme Court appears sympathetic to San Francisco's argument, potentially setting a precedent that could limit the EPA's regulatory power.
• Environmental groups and some city leaders worry that a ruling in favor of San Francisco could weaken national water quality protections.
• The case has sparked internal conflict within San Francisco, with some officials urging a settlement to avoid broader negative implications for environmental regulation.