Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/21pdf/20-1530_n758.pdf
Page Number: 38

Cite as:  597 U. S. ____ (2022) 

1 

GORSUCH, J., concurring 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 

_________________ 

Nos. 20–1530, 20–1531, 20–1778 and 20–1780 
_________________ 

20–1530 

WEST VIRGINIA, ET AL., PETITIONERS 
v. 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, ET AL. 

THE NORTH AMERICAN COAL CORPORATION, 
PETITIONER 
v. 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, ET AL. 

20–1531 

WESTMORELAND MINING HOLDINGS LLC, 
PETITIONER 
v. 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, ET AL. 

20–1778 

20–1780 

NORTH DAKOTA, PETITIONER 
v. 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, ET AL. 

ON WRITS OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF 
APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT 

[June 30, 2022] 

JUSTICE GORSUCH, with whom JUSTICE ALITO joins, con-

curring. 

To resolve today’s case the Court invokes the major ques-
tions doctrine.  Under that doctrine’s terms, administrative 
agencies must be able to point to “ ‘clear congressional au-
thorization’ ” when they claim the power to make decisions 
of vast “ ‘economic and political significance.’ ”  Ante, at 17, 
19.  Like  many  parallel  clear-statement  rules  in  our  law,
this  one  operates  to  protect  foundational  constitutional