Via The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:  

A coalition of coal-mining and coal-reliant states including Wisconsin filed a request with the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday to block President Barack Obama’s landmark climate change regulation from taking effect.

The coalition sought an emergency stay from the nation’s highest court, just days after a federal appeals court in Washington declined to do the same thing.

The rule, known as the Clean Power Plan, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by shifting to less power generation from coal-fired power plants.

In a petition to Chief Justice John Roberts, Wisconsin and dozens of states led by West Virginia called the EPA rule a federal power grab that oversteps the authority of the agency.

The petition terms the rule “a blatant act of commandeering that leaves the states no choice but to alter their laws and programs governing electricity generation and delivery to accord with federal policy.

“If this Court does not enter a stay, the Plan will continue to unlawfully impose massive and irreparable harms upon the sovereign States, as well as irreversible changes in the energy markets,” the petition said.

Supporters of the rule — the centerpiece of the carbon reduction commitments President Obama made as world leaders reached a global climate change accord last month — say the planet faces irreparable harm from failing to act to address carbon emissions.

Last week, Wisconsin utilities argued that even as it fights the plan Wisconsin should consider taking steps to comply with the rule.

Some outside experts have termed the petition a long shot, but opponents of the rule are hoping that a Supreme Court that’s backed EPA in the past on climate change regulations may take a fresh look.

See the article here.