"Supreme Court Questions Global Warming Lawsuit"

"The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned whether a global warming lawsuit against five big power companies can proceed, with several justices saying the Environmental Protection Agency, not federal judges, should deal with the issue.

The high court justices sounded a skeptical note during arguments when they asked whether complicated environmental issues, such as how much greenhouse gas pollution is allowable & how it should be curbed, should be left to federal judges.

The big environmental case stemmed from a 2004 lawsuit claiming that five coal-burning utilities have created a public nuisance by contributing to climate change. Its consequences, such as rising seas, reduced crop yields & destruction of some hardwood trees, would harm the states' citizens.

The lawsuit, now involving six states, seeks to have a federal judge in New York order the utilities to cut their carbon dioxide emissions.

Both liberal & conservative justices questioned whether the lawsuit can go forward."

Deborah Zabarenko and James Vicini report for Reuters April 20, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"States' Emissions 'Nuisance' Argument Seems to Fall on Deaf Ears in Supreme Court" (Greenwire)

"Supreme Court Skeptical About Climate Change Suit" (NPR)