Attorneys general from Georgia and Alabama have applauded a 2-1 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that overturned a regulation clamping down on power plant pollution that contributes to unhealthy air in neighboring states.

Alabama and Georgia joined with 13 other states in challenging the rule.

The EPA had adopted the rule in an attempt to cut down on downwind air pollution from power plants.

Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens applauded the ruling and said the air pollution rule was "another overt power grab by the Obama Administration from the states."

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said the ruling gives a state the opportunity to propose its own plan to control air emissions before the EPA "forces a federal government plan upon the state."

Tags: air pollution, EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, Sam Olens, cross state air pollution rule, coal power plants, cross state air pollution