"Possible Obama Picks Lean Left On Environment"

"With speculation over the next Supreme Court nominee running rampant, potential nominees' records on environmental issues and other hot-button topics are drawing scrutiny.

Whoever replaces the late Justice Antonin Scalia stands to play a major role in legal battles over high-stakes environmental regulations including U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan, the Clean Water Rule and tightened air restrictions on ozone. Beyond potentially casting decisive votes on President Obama's environmental legacy in the short-term, the new justice is certain to influence environmental law for decades to come.

It's uncertain whether Obama's pick to replace Scalia, who died last weekend, will get confirmed by the Republican-led Senate that's already announced its opposition to an election-year confirmation (see related story). But Obama has said he'll nominate someone for the coveted seat, whose next occupant could tip the divided court's ideological balance."

Robin Bravender reports for Greenwire February 16, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Backers Of Obama Carbon Rule See Window In Supreme Court Rebalancing" (EnergyWire)

"Forecast For Enviro Cases: Murky With A Chance Of Deadlocks" (Greenwire)

"Next Supreme Court Justice Will Be Crucial to Climate Change" (New York Times)