A short(ish) thread on today's SCOTUS (5-4) decision saying EPA cannot require cities to limit discharge of sewage they dump into the ocean. This decision, as noted in the dissent by the four women justices, rests on an unsubstantiated theory invented by the #SCOTUS conservative majority. The dissent says "The Court offers nothing to substantiate [their] proposition, and it is wrong as a matter of ordinary English".

But there's more. The majority, in defending their decision to take away a tool EPA can use to reduce #water pollution, offers the following justification. "If the EPA does its work, our holding should have no adverse effect on water quality." That's a hole you could drive a massive uncontrolled sewage discharge through given the Trump EPA.

In dissent, four justices say: "taking a tool away from EPA may make it harder for the Agency to issue the permits that municipalities and businesses need in order for their discharges to be lawful."

In short, this decision will make it harder for EPA to achieve the objectives of the Clean Water Act and easier for cities and industries to continue to sidestep water pollution regulations.

Here’s the decision: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-753_f2bh.pdf

I just gave a seminar for the Water Resources Research Center at the University of Arizona on the past, present, and future of #water. Excellent, engaged audience and questions, thank you. For the first time, however, a lot of questions about what Trump/GOP will do to water resources management and protection. People are angry, fearful, uncertain, and increasingly fired-up.

https://wrrc.arizona.edu/events/wrrc-water-webinar-three-ages-water-prehistoric-past-imperiled-present-and-hope-future-dr

The Pacific Institute has just released a major new assessment of the growing threat of catastrophic flooding in rural America, including the role that climate change plays, the vulnerability of rural communities, and the need to build resilience in these areas.

https://pacinst.org/the-growing-threat-of-catastrophic-flooding-in-rural-america/

Stop calling Elon Musk, who is actively working to cripple American science, "Elmo."
Elmo cares a lot about science and education.
Here's Elmo learning (and teaching) about science, something Elon should consider doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6iPExFmvZ4

My interview with @simonwdc of the Hopium Chronicles: “My Interview With Dr. Michael Mann On The Trump-Musk Attack on Science, Our Prosperity and Our Future” | Watch here:

#ScienceUnderSiege

https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/my-interview-with-dr-michael-mann?publication_id=1223483&utm_content=watch_now_gif&triedRedirect=true

“DOGE Set to Cancel Lease on Weather ‘Nerve Center’ as Tornado Season Begins” by Katherine Fung for @newsweek. Read more here:

https://www.newsweek.com/doge-set-cancel-lease-weather-nerve-center-tornado-season-begins-2040142