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The Latest: Budget Includes $1.65M For California Coal Suit

Lawmakers include money to sue California in the upcoming budget.
woomoo.org
Lawmakers include money to sue California in the upcoming budget.

Utah lawmakers are including $1.65 million in the state budget to sue California over rules that make coal-fired power more expensive.

The Legislature's main budget committee signed off on the expense Wednesday evening as part of a package of projects and programs they plan to fund before adjourning Thursday night.

Republican Rep. Mike Noel has proposed the lawsuit, saying California's policies are hurting coal miners in his rural district and violate the U.S. Constitution's Commerce Clause.

If the House and Senate votes to approve the spending Thursday, the measure moves to an uncertain fate at Gov. Gary Herbert's desk.

Herbert said last month that the cost of the lawsuit seemed "exorbitant" and suggested the coal industry foot the bill.