Over half the country urges court to stop Obama climate plan



More than half the country's state attorneys general urged federal judges Wednesday to halt the Clean Power Plan, the climate rules at the center of President Obama's climate change agenda.

Twenty-seven states, led by West Virginia and Texas, renewed their push to stay the far-reaching emission rules, which they argue will raise energy costs and harm families if allowed to move forward.

"This has to stop," Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said. "We urge the court to take quick action and stop the continued implementation of this rule until the court has adequate time to hear our evidence and has an opportunity to decide this case on the merits."

The states are suing the administration in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to terminate the regulations based on claims it is unconstitutional and illegal under U.S. environmental law.

The Clean Power Plan requires states to cut greenhouse gas emissions a third by 2030. Although the plan does not go into effect until 2022, Morrisey says states are already changing laws and shifting policies to get ready for the plan's mandates.

The states are required to send compliance plans to the Environmental Protection Agency beginning next summer.

Wednesday's request for the court to stay the climate rules was filed in response to an EPA brief urging the court not to stay the rule. The EPA argues that a climate deal struck earlier this month in Paris would be undercut if the Clean Power Plan is stayed, essentially putting it on ice until judges have time to make a decision on states' arguments to rescind it. A U.S. pledge to reduce emissions 26-28 percent by 2025 under the United Nations' accord relies on the EPA plan being implemented.

States joining West Virginia and Texas included Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the Departments of Environmental Quality in Mississippi and North Carolina.

A 17-state coalition led by New York and California are arguing in defense of the climate rules. A number of cities and mayors interceded Tuesday on the behalf of EPA in the court.

The court is expected to rule early next year.




http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/article/2579017/