Pawlenty among governors objecting to greenhouse gas regulations

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is among 18 governors who sent a letter to Congressional leaders this week urging them to prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

The letter said a regulatory approach would raise energy prices and harm the economy.

The EPA is writing rules to regulate emissions from vehicles and power plants. The agency is acting on a ruling from the Supreme Court in 2007 that greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act.

Congress has failed to pass comprehensive climate change legislation, and some see the EPA move as an attempt to add pressure for a political solution.

In the past, Gov. Pawlenty championed state and regional approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. More recently, he has said a national or international solution is needed.