6/9/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin today applauded the efforts of Sen. Jay Rockefeller for his recent support to seek legislation regarding the regulation of greenhouse gases and for supporting the “Resolution of Disapproval,” initiated by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The governor believes that support of the Murkowski resolution is critical if West Virginia and our country expect to have a viable future in energy and job sustainability.
The governor is asking the state’s delegation to follow Sen. Rockefeller’s lead on supporting legislation that balances the role of conservation and climate security, without compromising the abundant and affordable energy that this country needs.
In March, the governor joined fellow governors and sent a letter to Congress that expressed concern regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stance on greenhouse gas regulation. The governor believes the EPA’s actions to impose regulations on greenhouse gases could have dire effects on our economy if enacted. Furthermore, the governor’s view is that the EPA is not equipped to consider the very real potential for economic harm when regulating emissions.
In the letter, the governor states, “I firmly believe that the EPA should not be authorized to legislate through regulation. The EPA should offer input regarding complex energy and environmental policy initiatives, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but these policies are best developed by representatives at the state and national level, not by a single federal agency. Broad bipartisan support exists to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while taking into consideration the difficult fiscal situation that our states and nation face. I have said that there is a balance to be had between our energy production and the environment. That balance can be accomplished by working together, not by regulating our domestic resources out of the equation which will only increase our dependence on foreign energy sources.”
The letter continues, by the governor noting, “In West Virginia, we have diversified our state’s energy portfolio by passing two progressive pieces of legislation: the Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Act and the Post-Mine Land Use Plan. We are incorporating alternative and renewable energy resources, and we truly believe that we must be investing immediately in research to find cleaner fuels of the future. Using domestic resources in a cleaner way will help our nation secure energy independence, create a cleaner environment and keep our people working. This will ensure decreasing our use of foreign energy sources.”
Contact Information
Sara Payne Scarbro
304-558-2000