Gov. Heineman Calls on Congress to Stop EPA Regulation

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(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman joined a bipartisan group of governors this week in asking Congress to stop a plan giving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate greenhouse gases.

“This regulation would potentially harm the competitiveness of the nation’s economy and raise energy costs for Americans,” Gov. Heineman said.

In a letter sent yesterday to Congressional leaders, 20 governors expressed concerns over an administrative agency implementing regulations that would have a broad, negative impact on industry and jobs without input from elected officials.

Governors noted that bipartisan support exists to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, however heavy-handed regulation will increase electricity costs, as well as costs for gasoline and manufactured products at a time when state economies are struggling.

The letter states, “We believe that EPA should offer input regarding complex energy and environmental policy initiatives, like reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but feel that these policies are best developed by elected representatives at the state and national level, not by a single federal agency.”