Top legal advisors for New York, California, Virginia, Vermont and New Mexico are among those warning they will go to court if Trump uses his presidential powers to cancel the plan.

“Following such a course would be ill-conceived and contrary to law,” they write, arguing he has received “misguided advice” on the impacts of the Clean Power Plan (CPP).

“Our states and local governments are on the front lines of climate change,” the attorneys general add, citing a range of impacts from sea level rise to drought and storm surges.

The CPP aims to cut US greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas plants 30% compared to 2005 levels by 2030, and mandates all states to work out individual strategies to meet its goals.

The incoming president made frequent threats to scrap the CPP through 2016, promising he would end restrictions on the use of coal and boost the use and extraction of fossil fuels.

But while some lawmakers are supportive of carbon-cutting measures – others are not. On 16 December 24 states called on Trump to kill the proposals, which are not yet law and are under legal review.

“The order (to withdraw the plan) should explain that it is the administration’s view that the (Clean Power Plan) is unlawful and that EPA lacks authority to enforce it,” said West Virginia attorney general Patrick Morrisey.

Read more (Climate Home)