Illinois is among a coalition of 25 states and cities, including Chicago, that is backing the federal Clean Power Plan in the legal battle over the new environmental regulations, Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office announced Wednesday.

The coalition has filed a motion to intervene in defense of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan, which is facing a legal challenge from 23 states.

The states of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington plus the District of Columbia and the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boulder, South Miami, and Broward County, Florida are part of the coalition backing the Clean Power Plan, according to Madigan's office.

The Clean Power Plan seeks to slash carbon emissions from existing U.S. power plants.

"The Clean Power Plan is an important next step toward cleaner, healthier and more affordable energy," Madigan said in a statement. "This plan ensures that states like Illinois can develop our own strategies to reduce carbon pollution while improving our economy."

The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition applauded Madigan and the city of Chicago for backing efforts to support the Clean Power Plan:

Attorney General Madigan is taking strong action to protect the environmental, economic and health benefits that the Clean Power Plan offers to people across Illinois.  On behalf of the more than 130 businesses, environmental, faith and consumer groups that are part of the Illinois Clean Jobs coalition, we applaud her for standing up for a clean energy future-and for standing up to the polluters who want to delay the benefits that the Clean Power Plan can deliver to Illinois.
 
The Attorney General's action can also ensure that the states like Illinois are able to formulate their own approaches to meet the goals of the Clean Power Plan. We maintain that the bipartisan Illinois Clean Jobs Bill is the state's best path to meet those clean air goals, lower consumers' electric bills, and build upon the more than 100,000 clean energy jobs that exist in Illinois today.
 
We also commend action taken by the City of Chicago to join this effort.  We thank Mayor Emanuel for his leadership and for his continued support for growing clean energy in Illinois.