"Judges Skeptical of Challenge to Proposed EPA Rule on Climate Change"

"WASHINGTON — A panel of federal judges appeared inclined on Thursday to dismiss the first legal challenge to President Obama’s most far-reaching regulation to slow climate change.

But in the arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, lawyers for the nation’s two largest coal companies, more than two dozen states and the Environmental Protection Agency offered a preview of what is expected to be a protracted battle over a regulation Mr. Obama hopes to leave as his signature environmental achievement.

At stake is the environmental agency’s proposed rule, issued under the authority of the Clean Air Act, to curb planet-warming carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants. The rule, which would require all states to draft plans to restructure their electricity sectors and would push them to transition from coal power to cleaner forms of energy, could ultimately shut down hundreds of coal plants."

Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times April 16, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"U.S. Judges Raise Doubts About Early Challenge To Epa Carbon Rules" (Reuters)

"Judges Greet Early Challenge to EPA Rule With Skepticism" (InsideClimate News)

"Skeptical Judges Question Attack On EPA's Proposed Rule" (Greenwire)