ST. PAUL – Citing the concern of declining affordable energy availability for families, businesses and communities throughout Minnesota, a large number of state lawmakers have penned a letter to Attorney General Lori Swanson asking her to challenge 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, could lead to closures of coal-fired power plants which would further increase energy costs and create substantial job losses.
"Our goal should be to lower energy costs, not raise them," Gunther said. "This EPA rule is a complete overreach by the federal government, and it is my hope that our attorney general will fight for hardworking Minnesotans and join a number of other states in challenging the Clean Power Plan in federal court."
Gunther noted that Minnesota has spent billions of dollars over the past decade to reduce pollution and increase energy efficiency. He added that the federal government is now punishing Minnesotans for our early action related to clean and affordable power by not recognizing our state's past leadership and innovation.
More than 40 state lawmakers signed the letter to Attorney General Swanson urging her to take action.