The Obama administration has proposed strong new rules targeting coal-burning power plants in an effort to curb global warming.
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan seeks to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2030.
The 645-page rule is a centrepiece of President Barack Obama's plans to leverage similar commitments from polluting nations like China and India.
States must submit initial compliance plans by June 2016.
The rules seek to reduce carbon emissions by 30% below 2005 levels, which the EPA says is equal to the emissions from powering more than half the homes in the US for one year.
Particle pollution, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides may also be reduced by more than 25% as a co-benefit, the EPA wrote.
The new rules are expected to be finalized in June 2015 after a period of public comment.
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