Chevron and Me: How Landmark Ruling Impacts Construction and Maintenance

July 1 2024

Government, Legislative Affairs, Safety, Safety and Health

Through a 6-3 ruling in the case Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimando, The Supreme Court overturned the Chevron doctrine – a four decade old decision that directed courts to defer to federal agencies on ambiguities within statutes that the agencies administer. While not a simple shift by any means, the ruling is expected to increase litigation over regulations and limit the authority of federal agencies over the interpretation of policy.

For the world of construction and maintenance, agencies like the EPA, the Department of Labor, and OSHA will now have to defer to the courts on interpreting their own authority, potentially increasing litigation of all kinds surrounding agencies and their regulations.

This ruling is viewed by some as pro-business, shifting power from the regulatory agencies over to the entities that they regulate. Others contest that this will only bog things down, as there will be a larger reliance on the courts – and moving cases through the courts is a notoriously slow process.

While this is a decision with a potentially far-reaching impact across many different agencies, the full effects may not be felt for months or years to come. However, it is important to understand what might be effected, how it may be effected, and how we in the industry can stay ahead of the curve. Take a look at some deeper dives below for more information.

Learn more about the effects of this ruling: