ST. PAUL, MN—Representative Jim Newberger, R-Becker, joined a letter with more than 40 state representatives from the Minnesota House to Attorney General Lori Swanson and Governor Mark Dayton asking them to add Minnesota to a growing coalition of states challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a federal court over the Clean Power Plan.
The plan, which mandates Minnesota reduce utility carbon emissions by over 40 percent by 2030, greatly expands the scope of federal authority and will impact the availability of affordable energy for families, businesses and communities across the state. Furthermore, the implementation of this new rule could lead to closures of coal-fired power plants, further increasing energy costs and creating substantial job loss.
"Last week in Becker our hearing attracted more than 300 Minnesotans concerned about this outrageous overreach by President Obama and the EPA," Newberger said. "Folks in Becker and across the state know that these policies will raise their electric bills and put hardworking Minnesotans out work. It's time for Minnesota to join the chorus of states fighting against this harmful plan."
"Legislators on both sides of the aisle oppose President Obama's efforts to crush Minnesota jobs and raise energy prices for hardworking families," added Representative Pat Garofalo, Chair of the House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Committee. "It's time for Governor Dayton and Attorney General Swanson to stand up for Minnesotans and join the efforts to block this outrageous federal overreach."
The full letter can be read by clicking
here.
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