New York's Eliot Spitzer and fellow attorneys general from seven other states announced a lawsuit yesterday aimed at forcing five power companies to cut carbon dioxide emissions before global warming gets out of control.

"We want the court to order companies to reduce carbon dioxide to technologically and economically feasible levels ... before it's too late," Spitzer said.

The state attorneys general -- from New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Vermont, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Iowa, in addition to New York -- filed the suit yesterday in Manhattan Federal Court.

The targeted power companies -- American Electric Power Co., Southern Co., Xcel Energy Inc., Cinergy Corp. and the Tennessee Valley Authority -- emit 650 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, or 10 percent of the U.S. total, according to the suit.

Scientists believe carbon dioxide, which traps heat near the Earth's surface, is public enemy No. 1 in the fight against global warming.

The states want the companies to reduce emissions by 3 percent a year for 10 years. If global warming continues, there could be massive flooding and increases in insect-borne diseases, the suit claims.

The companies said they already are taking steps.

"We invest heavily in clean energy development," said Melissa McHenry of American Electric. "Lawsuits are not constructive."