By Pat Bradley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-964166.mp3
Washington, D.C. – The nation's highest court heard arguments over American Electric Power etal vs Connecticut etal in a case that asks the justices to uphold a state's right to sue polluters in order to force them to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Leading a coalition that includes the city of New York, California, the state of New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Rhode Island, and Vermont, New York Solicitor General Barbara Underwood argued that the power companies cause a public nuisance by releasing greenhouse gases and can therefore be sued in court. Connecticut Assistant Attorney General Matthew Levine .....
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Adirondack Mountain Club Executive Director Neil Woodworth says this is probably the most important environmental case at the top of the federal court system.....
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The New York State Attorney General's office did not have anyone available for an interview, but referred WAMC to David Doniger, Climate Center Policy Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Council is one of the respondents along with the states in the case......
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Doniger, who is also an attorney for the land trusts involved in the case, was at the Supreme Court for Tuesday's oral arguments......
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The Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the states' lawsuit in 2009 and power companies appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. A decision is expected by July.