Farmers compared to coal-burning utilities

If you can take coal-burning utilities to court for creating a public nuisance by contributing to climate change, why not farmers?

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia asked the question in April during a hearing about whether an environmental case against five major U.S. utility companies should proceed.

Six states – California, Connecticut, Iowa, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont – and New York City claim the effects of global warming are harming their residents. They want the companies, which include American Electric Power Co. Inc., Southern Company and Xcel Energy Inc., to slash emissions.

Better Farming - August/September 2011