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WVa gov: Likely no State Carbon Plan until after Court Cases
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin doesn’t expect West Virginia to submit compliance plans for carbon emissions standards from coal-fired power plants while the federal regulation remains in court proceedings.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court agreed to halt enforcement of President Obama’s sweeping plan to address climate change until after legal challenges are resolved.
Tomblin spokeswoman Shayna Varner said Wednesday it’s hard to imagine court proceedings being complete by September’s submission date for state implementation plans.
Tuesday’s ruling was a victory for a coalition of 27 mostly Republican-led states and industry groups, including West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.
Varner says Tomblin’s environmental agency will keep working on a feasibility study of complying with the regulation, as a bill passed last year requires.
Varner says Tomblin is pleased with the stay.