By Valerie Volcovici

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is going to continue to develop rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power stations despite a surprising Supreme Court decision to overturn its authority last week. This was disclosed by its administrator to Reuters Monday.

Michael Regan stated in an interview to Reuters that the EPA “will continue to move ahead and use its statutory power to ensure that we protect people from harmful pollutants, greenhouse gases pollution, and pollution which contributes to the degradation and air quality.”

After a Trump-era ruling was declared “arbitrary and capricious” by a federal appels court in 2019, the EPA is currently working to develop a regulation for carbon dioxide emissions from coal fired power plants.

On Friday, the Supreme Court agreed to listen to a proposal by West Virginia’s coal producer and other industry groups for limiting federal power under Clean Air Act. This Act regulates carbon emissions from power stations.

This could be a peek at how the conservative court of 6-3 will interpret federal government’s role on climate change. President Joe Biden may have difficulty meeting his targets to decarbonize U.S. economies to limit global warming.

Regan indicated that he believes the court will support the EPA authority. He also said that he remains certain Biden can collaborate with a divided Congress and pass crucial climate legislation.

He added that, “Regardless of what Congress decides to do, EPA will continue with its statutory authority.”

Regan said Tuesday that the EPA had also presented a “historical proposal” for regulating methane emission from oil and natural gas operations. This will help to achieve U.S. climate change goals.