The issue focused on the relationship between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the local fracking industry and whether their guidelines can be reviewed in court if they cannot be shown to violate the separation of powers in the courts. The plaintiffs argue that since the EPA is under the court's jurisdiction, and the industry is not subject to that court's judicial authority, the agency can regulate both industries to promote environmental health and public safety without violating the separation of powers between the executive and the legislative branch of government. They argue that this