washington democratic state officials blast u.s. environmental protection agency thursday tell governors describe legally incorrect letter march need comply major climate change regulation fourteen democratic attorneys general officials six cities counties say guidance epa administrator scott pruitt send state march 30 mislead clean power plan enact former president barack obama democrat remain book despite republican trump administration plan unravel clean power plan aim curb carbon emissions power plant never take effect supreme court put hold february 2016. state officials say regulation remain law land even currently hold pruitt unsolicited legal advice governors premature legally incorrect call pruitt retract letter move late tussle democrats back regulation new administration conservative state coal industry oppose scott pruitt simply wish away facts give governors bad legal advice new york state attorney general eric schneiderman say statement continue fight ensure federal government fulfill legal responsibility new yorkers health environment epa spokesman immediately available comment pruitt say guidance case hold state interest party neither require expect work towards meet compliance date deadlines set state part implementation rule legal challenge regulation bring 27 conservative-leaning state remain pending u.s. court appeal district columbia circuit court delay issue rule case due administration plan reconsider regulation president donald trump republican sign executive order march order agency consider rescind rule schneiderman state officials also question pruitt send letter since say would recuse current role former oklahoma attorney general participate challenge state attorneys general success battle back agencies plan roll back obama-era climate regulations u.s. state hit back epa chief climate rule guidance