CT Attorney General, 16 States, NYC Urge Congress To Affirm State Authority To Regulate Greenhouse Gases

November 9, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, 16 states and New York City today wrote Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi urging that pending energy legislation affirm states' authority to set their own greenhouse gas emission standards.

The letter notes that California and other states have long had such power under the Clean Air Act to set their own, tougher clean air standards. They called on Reid and Pelosi to resist proposals to strip states of that authority.

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"Gutting state authority to set tougher clean air standards makes no sense," Blumenthal said. "Facing federal obstruction and inaction, states must curb greenhouse gases causing global warming. Preempting state authority to stop air contamination violates essential established principles.

"I urge Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi to include clear, concise language affirming states' authority to set their own tougher clean air standards. Failure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will worsen warming, causing potentially catastrophic sea level rise, habitat destruction, environmental degradation and increased heat-related disease and death.

"I will fight for Connecticut's right to restrict and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protecting our environment and public health."

The energy bill before Congress includes provisions to increase vehicle fuel economy standards, require utilities to generate more green power, provide tax credits for renewable energy, increase efficiency standards for appliances and mandate greater use of ethanol.

Other states signing the letter are: California, Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

Source: Connecticut Attorney General