Gov. Scott Walker vows to sue federal government over carbon limits

MADISON (AP) — Republican Gov. Scott Walker is promising to sue the federal government over new limits on carbon emissions from power plants.

Walker announced during his State of the State address Tuesday that he's working with Attorney General Brad Schimel to prepare a lawsuit challenging the limits, saying they could have a devastating impact on Wisconsin manufacturers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in June announced specific targets for all states. The agency wants Wisconsin to lower its emissions to 1,203 pounds per megawatt-hour of energy produced, down 34 percent from 2012.

Walker sent a letter to the EPA last month warning compliance could cost as much as $13 billion and could drive electricity rates up 29 percent.

Conservationists say the plan represents the most important step yet in combating climate change.