US Court Hears Climate Case

摘要

The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday on American Electric Power v. Connecticut, the most important climate change suit to reach the court since its 2007 ruling that the federal government has the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. At issue is whether states can regulate greenhouse gases as a public nuisance under federal common law. The plaintiffs - six states, New York City and several land trusts - say that power companies are causing a public nuisance when they emit gases like carbon dioxide or methane.