"Trump's Justice Dept. Asks Court to Halt Clean Power Plan Case"

"Because the EPA intends to rewrite the rule, the Justice Department argues to federal appeals court that a ruling on its merits is unnecessary."

"Within hours of moving by executive order to dismantle U.S. actions on the climate change crisis, the Trump Administration asked a federal court to stand down on pending litigation over the Clean Power Plan. The legal salvo could keep regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel power plants in limbo for the foreseeable future.

The Justice Department on Tuesday asked the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which heard oral arguments months ago in a case challenging the landmark Obama-era regulations, "to hold cases in abeyance." Last February the Supreme Court issued a stay of the rules, and the appeals court has not yet ruled.

"The Clean Power Plan is under close scrutiny by the EPA, and the prior positions taken by the agency with respect to the Rule do not necessarily reflect its ultimate conclusions," the department said in a motion to the appeals court."

John H. Cushman Jr. reports for InsideClimate News March 29, 2017.