Judge Brett Kavanaugh, nominated by President Donald Trump to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, wrote in 2013 that the need for climate action is “urgent and important at the national and international level.” Since 2006, Kavanaugh has served on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the federal appellate court that hears most Environmental Protection Agency-related cases. He has argued that the agency should only issue a new rule if Congress granted them explicit, legislative direction to do so, like in the Clean Air Act or the Clean Water Act.
“The earth is warming. Humans are contributing,” he said in court two years ago. “There is a moral imperative. There is a huge policy imperative. The pope’s involved.”
Kavanaugh is meeting with lawmakers and it is expected his confirmation hearing will begin in mid-August.
