BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick was in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, stirring speculation that he being considered to replace Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court.

Officially, the governor is set to attend President Barack Obama's announcement of new auto emissions standards. Obama will require all cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. to get a minimum of 35 miles per gallon by 2016.

A Patrick spokesman said any nomination talk is "categorically false" and he was invited to the announcement because of his clean energy record.

Lt. Gov. Tim Murray also dismissed Supreme Court rumors.

“He’s going to be going to Washington from time to time because he enjoys a relationship with the president. He is going to be advocating for resources and policies that will help Massachusetts. And he should be doing that. But we are running for reelection, and he has said time and time again that he loves his job,” Murray said.