States Begin to Comply with Clean Power Plan, While Planning to Sue

"As the Obama administration's carbon rules become final, states weigh fighting vs complying. ‘We can’t count on winning the lawsuit,’ one official says."

"While opponents wait for the Obama administration’s carbon regulations to become official before suing to block them, state environmental agencies have been busy studying compliance options.

The Clean Power Plan, which requires states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants 32 percent by 2030, is intended to help slow climate change resulting from the burning of fossil fuels. The plan has been the target of legal challenges and legislative campaigns since it was proposed in 2014 and finalized in August.

At least 14 states, including many in coal country, are gearing up to pursue litigation once the rule is finally published in the Federal Register, the official record of government regulations, which will likely happen tomorrow. Although the administration argues the Clean Power Plan will create economic opportunity—one study by economists predicted it  will create a quarter of a million jobs— and speed up the transition to a clean energy economy, the rule’s opponents have claimed it will kill jobs and hurt local economies."

Naveena Sadasivam reports for InsideClimate News October 22, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Clean Power Plan: It's Showtime for Legal And Hill Battles" (Greenwire)

"U.S. Moves Ahead With Carbon Rule as 25 States Prepare To Sue" (Reuters)

"EPA: Climate Rule on ‘Sound Legal And Technical Foundation’" (The Hill)