Smokestacks are seen at a coal-fired power plant in La Cygne,
Kansas, Jan. 19, 2012. Charlie Riedel/AP  Supreme Court weighs
critical pollution rule   Air pollution kills people. The
Supreme Court may soon decide how much the Environmental
Protection Agency can do about that.  Last year the DC Circuit –
the very same court Republicans were attempting to prevent Obama
from making any appointments to – struck down an EPA rule
forcing states that affect air quality standards in neighboring
states to bring down their emissions. Think of it almost like
second-hand smoke – if the person sitting next to you is puffing
on a cigarette, you’re inhaling too. The same is true of states,
whose emissions carry on the wind and contribute to health and
environmental problems for their neighbors, and make it harder
for those states to meet their federal clean air obligations.
Under the Clean Air Act’s “good neighbor” provision, states are
obligated to take steps to reduce the impact of their emissions
on other states.  “Becau