California wants to sue power plants in other states that emit trace amounts of an invisible, natural gas that allegedly cause beach erosion in California

Calif. seeks right to sue over greenhouse gases

The companies operate 174 plants in 20 states. None is in California, but the suit says they produce 2.5 percent of the world's emissions, thereby warming the planet and melting the Sierra snowpack earlier. That affects the state's drinking water supply, the suit says.

Higher temperatures also increase smog-related illnesses and deaths and contribute to beach erosion in California and elsewhere, the states said.