Chevron Ruling Roils Permitting System Biden Sought to Steady

Permitting consultants and lawyers say they’re hearing from developers anxious to know the effects on their projects of the US Supreme Court’s recent decision restricting courts’ deference to agency actions.

“Post-Chevron, there’s a collective holding of breath” in the permitting world, said Karen Hanley, a former official at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “Regulators and developers alike are bracing for a seismic shift in how we approach environmental assessments. We’re seeing extraordinary concern.”

More litigation could hurt not only the private sector but also the White House’s ambition to get renewable energy, electric vehicle charging stations, and other ...