February XX, 2010
Dear Congress:
As Governors and Chief Economic Developers of our States, we are concerned about the
approach being taken by EPA to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. In
addition to placing heavy administrative burdens on state environmental quality agencies,
regulating greenhouse gases through the Clean Air Act will be costly to consumers and
hurt the U.S. economy, resulting in job losses. While EPA should offer input, complex
energy and environmental policy initiatives, like greenhouse gas regulation, should be
vetted and considered by Congress and States, not a single federal agency. It is
imperative that the American people have ample opportunity to understand the costs and
benefits of new regulations.
For these reasons, we are asking you to use authority granted to Congress through the
Congressional Review Act to stop EPA from enacting costly greenhouse gas regulations
under the Clean Air Act. Congressional oversight of rulemaking appropriately provides
fair balance and offers protection for American families and businesses against
unreasonable regulation. There is broad agreement, even expressed by EPA
Administrator Lisa Jackson, that more efficient methods to effectuate greenhouse gas
reductions are available.
The Congressional Review Act, born out of legislation intended to protect small business
and passed during the Clinton Administration, grants Congress the opportunity to review
regulations proposed by federal agencies and thwart the problematic ones. Considering
the regulatory impacts on electricity and gasoline prices, on the cost of manufactured
products, and on the U.S. economy in general, we urge Congress to reject EPA’s
proposed endangerment finding – the precursor to harmful regulations.
Governors