WASHINGTON — A divided Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to halt enforcement of President Barack Obama’s sweeping plan to address climate change until after legal challenges are resolved.
The surprising move is a blow to the administration and a victory for the coalition of 27 mostly Republican-led states and industry opponents that call the regulations “an unprecedented power grab.”
By temporarily freezing the rule the high court’s order signals that opponents have made a strong argument against the plan. A federal appeals court last month refused to put it on hold.
The court’s four liberal justices said they would have denied the request.
The plan aims to stave off the worst predicted impacts of climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions at existing power plants by about one-third by 2030.
The compliance period starts in 2022, but states must submit their plans to the Environmental Protection Administration by September or seek an extension. West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said last fall that West Virginia would submit a compliance plan.
“Make no mistake — this is a great victory for West Virginia,” West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said…
