Linda Lingle on Energy & Oil Republican Governor (HI)

Transformation for clean energy, not incremental change

Almost three years later, however, that initiative has helped support dozens of energy programs that have laid the groundwork for the nation's most oil-dependent state to potentially become its most energy self-sufficient. Tall wind turbines are sprouting across the islands. Residents and businesses will soon be able to sell homegrown solar power back to the grid. Charging stations for incoming electric cars are being built--by law, at least one per 100-space parking lot by the end of next year.

''The path we were on was not one we could sustain,'' Republican Gov. Linda Lingle said in an interview. ''We had to be transformational. It couldn't be incremental any longer.''

Stop harmful EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

We feel compelled to guard against a regulatory approach that would increase the cost of electricity and gasoline prices, manufactured products, and ultimately harm the competitiveness of the US economy. As governors, we strongly urge Congress to stop harmful EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that could damage those vital interests. We ask that Congress continue its work to pass comprehensive legislation that balances the role of conservation and climate security with the production of abundant and affordable American energy. The EPA has initiated efforts to impose greenhouse gas regulations that could be harmful to our economies at an especially critical time. As Governors, we are gravely concerned about such regulation.

EPA is not equipped to consider the very real potential for economic harm when regulating emissions. Without that consideration, regulation will place heavy administrative burdens on state environmental quality agencies, will be costly to consumers, and could be devastating to the economy and jobs.

We believe that EPA should offer input regarding complex energy and environmental policy initiatives, like reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but feel that these policies are best developed by elected representatives at the state and national level, not by a single federal agency. There is no question that broad bipartisan support exists to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while taking into consideration the difficult fiscal situation that our states and the nation face.