Obama on climate: 'There's no plan B'

WASHINGTON - President Obama sought to clamp down Monday on power plant emissions with a federal plan that - if successful - would attempt to slow global warming by dramatically shifting the way Americans get and use electricity.

Touting the plan at a White House ceremony, Obama described his unprecedented carbon dioxide limits as the biggest step ever taken by the United States on climate change. On that point, at least, his opponents agreed. They denounced his proposal as egregious federal overreach that would send power prices surging, and vowed lawsuits and legislation to try to stop it.

"We're the first generation to feel the impact of climate change, and we're the last generation that can do something about it," Obama said. He added, "We only get one planet. There's no Plan B."

Obama's announcement sets off a years-long process for states to figure out how to comply.

Under the plan, first proposed last year, the U.S. must cut power plant emissions 32 percent by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. The Obama administration said it would cost $8.4 billion annually by 2030, but argued that power bills would decrease because people would use less electricity and rely more on low-cost sources such as wind and solar. The energy industry has dismissed those estimates as overly rosy.

Within minutes of Obama unveiling his plan, numerous groups said they would sue.

The Murray Energy Corp., a coal-mining company, planned to file five lawsuits. In the coal-heavy state of West Virginia, state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said his state was "launching an aggressive legal campaign" - and predicted that 20 to 25 states would join.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) has urged GOP governors not to comply, and many have agreed.

McConnell also vowed Monday to use legislation to stop the plan, although Obama's veto power makes that option unlikely.

If a state refuses to submit a plan, the Environmental Protection Agency can impose one.