The reclassification would give the commission the authority to implement portions of its recently released National Broadband Plan, as well as to enforce net neutrality, the concept that Internet service providers must provide consumers with equal access to all types of content and applications.
Additionally, without authority over broadband, the decision means the FCC will be hamstrung when it comes to implementing portions of its just released broadband plan.
"Virginia and other states are already spending huge sums to implement their portions of the health care act, businesses are already making decisions about whether to cut or keep employee health plans, and citizens are in limbo until the Supreme Court rules," Mr. Cuccinelli said in a statement.
Implementing different portions of the action plan can take a few months to a year, depending on how complicated they are and whether outside assistance is needed.
But Jack Straw, the home secretary, has refused to implement that portion of the Crime Sentences Act because it is tied up with other, undesirable, measures.
While legal challenges remain, the court allowed Alabama to implement a portion of the bill designed to keep illegal immigrants from getting state licenses.
"The unwillingness of Texas state officials to implement this portion of the federal program leaves E.P.A. no choice but to resume its role as the permitting authority," Ms. McCarthy wrote.
For instance, estimates for the state of Maryland to fully implement its portion of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL total $928 million for farmers, $2.37 billion for municipal wastewater systems, $7.39 billion for stormwater systems, and $3.72 billion for septic tank upgrades.
A list of software downloads implementing a portion of the solutions surveyed is presented in the appendix of this paper.
