The court ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by a group of 29 states, utilities and coal miners claiming that the plan will require the states to shut down older coal-fired plants, a move that will impact the states’ economies, Reuters reported.
The states depending on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas contended that the electricity providers will have to spend heavily to comply with the rule, as reported by The Associated Press.
In January, the US Court of Appeals in Washington scrapped the initial attempt to halt the implementation of the plan. However, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to suspend the plan while litigation proceeds.
Commenting on the Supreme Court’s decision, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said: We remain confident that we will prevail on the merits. Even while the litigation proceeds, EPA has indicated it will work with states that choose to continue plan development and will prepare the tools those states will need.
"At the same time, the Administration will continue to take aggressive steps to make forward progress to reduce carbon emissions."
Launched in August last year, the Clean Power Plan sets goals for states to cut the carbon pollution that is driving climate change.
The plan is expected to lead to 30% more renewable energy generation in 2030. It is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs, while continuing to lower the costs of renewable energy.
Image: Obama’s Clean Power Plan aims to cut CO2 emissions by 32% from 2005 levels by 2030. Photo: courtesy of njaj / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
