Attorney General Patrick Morrisey says there are a couple of problems with new Environmental Protection Agency rules allowing the federal government to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources, like coal fired power plants.
“This is about a flawed interpretation of the Clean Air Act, but it’s also about the EPA overreaching because, the way they wrote the rule, they’re not allowing the states who have real injuries in this case to have standing,” AG Morrisey said.
“There are both statutory problems with these regulations and a Constitutional one as well.”
West Virginia recently filed a friend of the court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking that the High Court hear a case dealing with a challenge to EPA rules on greenhouse gas emissions.
He says he wants the Supreme Court to make it clear the EPA has overstepped its regulatory authority and misinterpreted the Clean Air Act.
In addition to West Virginia, Kansas and Montana are also newly involved in the effort that already includes more than a dozen other states. Morrisey says it’s an important effort.
“My job as Attorney General is to focus on the rule of law. That’s why I’ve been pushing to ensure that West Virginia’s voice is heard on this very important topic because it has a significant legal and economic impact on our state,” he said.
Morrisey was a guest on Tuesday’s MetroNews Talkline.