Montana Attorney General Asks Supreme Court to Block Federal Air Pollution Rule

A coalition of Republican attorneys general has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block new federal rules on air pollution from coal-fired power plants.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted new rules aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic air pollutants like arsenic from coal-fired power plants.

Attorneys general from 20 states, including Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, have asked the nation’s highest court to seek an emergency stay that would halt the new regulations. The group argues that the EPA overstepped its authority by requiring coal-fired power plants to adopt expensive air-filtration technology to comply.

A lower court previously rejected the groups’ request to block the legislation.

Most power plants in the U.S. already meet these standards. But the Colstrip coal-fired plant does not meet the standards and is the nation’s largest emitter. Montana’s congressional delegation criticized the standards when they were released this spring, saying they unfairly targeted the state’s primary source of power.

Healthcare professionals and environmentalists supported the legislation because it will benefit human health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.