Get ready for higher utility costs.  The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated two lawsuits brought by New York City and a group of states and land trusts that challenged major utilities on their carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning power plants.  One of the lawyers for the plaintiff said:

“In light of this decision, there’s no way [for the defendants] to get out of these cases.  These cases are going to be heard on the facts, and the facts and the science on global warming are clear and they are strong.  The fact that global warming is susceptible to a tort now is an important question that’s been resolved in our favor.”