SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Ten states have threatened to sue the Environmental Protection Agency, which missed an April 13 deadline to finalize rules on new power plant emissions, unless it issues guidelines promptly.

New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a statement on Wednesday criticizing the agency for failing to complete its New Source Performance Standards to curb greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants despite President Barack Obama’s pledge to combat climate change.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency told a Senate panel on Thursday that coal will remain important in the U.S. energy mix and that the EPA will be flexible in applying new pollution rules for coal-fired power plants.

Gina McCarthy, EPA’s assistant administrator for air and radiation, was questioned by Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the agency’s plans to roll out regulations soon to curb carbon emissions from power plants, blamed for contributing to global warming.