Illinois joins 17 states supporting new domestic power plant limits being challenged in federal court by more than two dozen other states. California, New York and Virginia are among the other states siding with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with the cities of Chicago, New York and Philadelphia.
Neighboring Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin are among the states challenging the new standards in President Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Governors in three states whose attorneys general joined the lawsuit have said they plan to comply with the EPA mandate. A spokeswoman for Gov. Bruce Rauner says Illinois "is still reviewing the rule."
The motion to intervene was filed Wednesday in a federal appellate court in Washington by state Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
