Court Rules in Favor of Obama EPA Clean Power Plan

Blue Nation Review ?@BlueNationRev 22h22 hours ago
Court Rules in Favor of EPA Clean Power Plan http://trib.al/E5FZJDs #ClimateChange #UniteBlue


All three judges in a U.S. Court of Appeals panel in the District of Columbia have dismissed a suit by groups trying to stop the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.

Last year, through the EPA, President Obama put down his biggest marker to date in the fight against climate change. The Clean Power Plan meant states would be able to chart their own course to reduce carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2020 or the federal government would do it for them. Naturally, states led by Republican governors bristled and filed suit.

The states were often joined in their legal action by energy companies that have been polluting the air and water for decades. The claims are the usual ones–that costs associated with reducing emissions would be devastating for business. While some energy companies have chosen to fight the Clean Power Plan in court, others have adapted to the increasing demand for solar and wind energy.

In court Tuesday, the three judges threw out the plaintiffs’ case based on what amounts to technicality. With the Clean Power Plan still in the proposal stage, the judges said it can’t be subject to litigation. The plan should be finalized in a few months, at which point another round of lawsuits will certainly be filed.

For the time being though, it’s a victory for environmentalists...


read more: http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/court-rejects-effort-to-block-epa-climate-change-rules-20150609