GOP wants Minnesota to join EPA challenge

ST. PAUL - Forty-four Republican Minnesota House members signed a letter Tuesday asking state Attorney General Lori Swanson and Gov. Mark Dayton to challenge the federal Clean Power Plan that would cut utility carbon emissions by more than 40 percent in 2030.
The GOP lawmakers say that the federal Environmental Protection Agency plan greatly exceeds the government’s authority. Other states already are challenging the EPA plan.
“President Obama’s plan will increase energy costs dramatically, hurting folks on fixed incomes, schools, nursing homes, small businesses and families statewide,” Rep. Dan Fabian, R-Roseau, said. “The EPA is forcing the state to implement costly, complex new environmental standards that they have admitted will not have measurable benefits.”
Fabian said that while everyone wants a clean environment, Minnesota already has done a good job. “We are asking Attorney General Swanson to oppose this plan in a federal court because Minnesota’s elected leaders must stand up for consumers, state authority and hardworking taxpayers.”