Walker, Attorney General Consider Appeal Of Federal Court Decision On Climate Change Plan

Gov. Scott Walker said he’ll talk with Wisconsin attorney general about whether the state should appeal a legal setback in the fight against President Barack Obama’s climate change initiative.

Walker continues to argue the plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will drive up electricity costs.

A federal appeals court has refused to halt the Clean Power Plan, while judges consider a broader lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule. Wisconsin and about two dozen other states have brought the case.

Walker said he and state Attorney General Brad Schimel are discussing Wisconsin’s next step, while some legal experts caution that it can be tough to get the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene now. The governor said he still believes Wisconsin can win the overall lawsuit.

“That there still be a legal ability for the state to invoke its status, under the Constitution, the 10th Amendment in particular, as to what’s the responsibilities of the federal government and what is of the state,” Walker said.

Meanwhile, a new federal study said improvements in transmission can bring reliable, low-carbon electricity within 15 years at costs similar to today.