Posted on 03/12/2014 12:06:28 PM PDT by EBH
Specifically, those challenging the EPA say it is reading too broadly its authority to regulate greenhouse gases, carrying over limits from vehicle transmissions and applying them to stationary sources such as power plants. They also say the EPA is picking and choosing which parts of the law to enforce by establishing a permitting scheme for greenhouse gas emitters, because its threshold for when those regulations take effect is above the laws limits.
The government argues a lower limit would potentially ensnare millions of buildings nationwide beyond the intent of the regulations, including public schools and some apartment buildings. It argues lessening the requirements allows for a transition and allows regulators to target only the most worrisome polluters.
For their part, those opposing the limits say if the government has to make such an exception, then the limits were never meant to apply under the law in the first place...
...By the end of the arguments, even some of the more liberal justices seemed skeptical of the liberties the Environmental Protection Agency had taken on greenhouse gas emissions. Justice Elena Kagan seemed troubled at times by some of the agencys decisions. And Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked Solicitor General Donald Verrilli what, in essence, would be the best way for the government to lose its case...
The court is expected to rule by the end of its term this summer.
(Excerpt) Read more at pewstates.org ...
The Court did a smack-down and oddly the controlling party didn't know what to do, other than stage a protest.
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