"WASHINGTON -- U.S. Supreme Court justices offered President Barack Obama's administration some encouragement on Tuesday as they weighed the lawfulness of a federal regulation limiting air pollution that crosses state lines, mostly emissions from coal-fired power plants."
"Although it was unclear how the court would rule, a majority of the eight justices hearing the case at points in the 90-minute argument voiced some support for the regulation, which has been challenged by some states and industry groups.
The government is defending a regulation issued under the federal Clean Air Act that had been due to go into effect in January 2012, requiring some states to cut the smog and soot that travels from their power plants downwind to states further east.
The ninth justice, Samuel Alito, recused himself from the case for undisclosed reasons."
Lawrence Hurley reports for Reuters December 10, 2013.
SEE ALSO:
"EPA Rules on Interstate Air Pollution Get Warm Supreme Court Reception" (Washington Post)
"Justices Hear Case on Cross-State Pollution Rules" (New York Times)
"Curbs on Upwind Pollution Sought" (Baltimore Sun)
"Air Pollution Battle Pits Administration Against GOP-Led States" (Los Angeles Times)
"Justices May Back EPA on Air Pollution Rule" (USA TODAY)
"Supreme Court Tries To Pierce Fog of Cross-State Pollution Laws" (McClatchy)
"Supreme Court Looks At EPA Rule on Air Pollution Blowing Into Northeast" (AP)
"Obama Pollution Rule Revival Weighed by Supreme Court" (Bloomberg)
"Supreme Court Reviews Pollution Limits" (The Hill)
"Supreme Court Examines Rule on Cross-Border Pollution: Did EPA Overreach?" (Christian Science Monitor)
