Obama Believes Climate Change Rule Still has a Chance Despite Supreme Court Setback
Although the U.S. Supreme Court blocked its implementation recently, President Barack Obama remains confident that his legacy climate change rule will move forward.
According to a report from TIME, Obama spoke at a Democratic fundraiser in California to assure donors and the public that the rule the administration put forward for the regulation of coal emissions from power plants still has a chance for survival.
"In the last couple of days I've heard people say, 'The Supreme Court struck down the clean power plant rule,'" the president said in a White House pool report via TIME. "That's not true, so don't despair people. This a legal decision that says, 'Hold on until we review the legality.' We are very firm in terms of the legal footing here."
He added, "We need to be investing in the future, not the past. We should be investing in solar and wind and battery technology -- all the things that promise us we can generate enormous power without destroying the planet for our kids and grandkids."
According to a report from CNN, the Supreme Court blocked the Obama-led Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan after 29 states pursued legal action against the rule that aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions. A lower court has previously declined to block the action, which is one of the reasons why some administration officials were surprised that the Supreme Court intervened.
The controversial EPA has drawn the divide between the administration and the Republican party even more starkly as they find themselves on opposite sides of the debate. It's a rule that would require the states to meet specific carbon emission reduction standards depending on their energy consumption. While its supporters deem it necessary as a major contribution to climate change, the critics have countered that the rules will be bad for the industry and economy.
The congressional Republicans were pleased with the court was confirmed to halt the rule and they expressed their approval after the decision was announced. House Speaker Paul Ryan has been outspoken about the controversial rule and said in a statement, "This rule should be struck down permanently before coal country is destroyed completely, and American consumers are consigned to higher energy prices."
Sen. John Barrasso of R-Wyoming also went on Twitter to talk about the "great news," adding that the Republicans will continue to work towards the rule is permanently blocked from implementation in the future.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!