September 29, 2015 Attomey General Lori Swanson 1400 Bremer Tower 445 Minnesota Street St. Paul, MN 55101 Dear Attorney General Swanson, ‘We write to encourage you to add Minnesota to the growing coalition of states challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in a federal court regarding the Clean Power Plan, issued under the agency's 111(d) rulemaking authority. Not only will this significantly expanded scope of federal power under EPA rulemaking undermine state regulatory authority, but it will also impact the availability of affordable energy for families, businesses and communities statewide. Additionally, there is a possibility that the implementation of the Clean Power Plan could lead to the closure of coal-fired power plants in our state, creating significant job loss and increased energy costs. These price increases will most greaily afifect those who can least afford it including people with low or fixed incomes, the elderly, local schools and nursing homes. As you may be aware, the EPA has assigned to Minnesota a utility sector carbon reduction mandate of over 40 percent by the year 2030, well above the national average of 32 percent. Our state already has spent billions of dollars over the past decade to reduce pollution and increase energy efficiency. The federal government is now punishing Minnesotans for our early action related to clean and affordable power by not recognizing our state's past leadership and innovation. Furthermore, the EPA conceded there will be no measurable environmental benefit from the Clean Power Plan which calls to question the validity of implementing these expensive, overreaching new federal requirements when there is little expected positive environmental results. ‘The EPA issued its final rule on August 3, 2015. We now respectfully ask that you take action on behalf of the state of Minnesota and join the growing list of states challenging the EPA's Clean Power Plan, By joining as a plaintiff, Minnesota will be a sirong voice for state regulatoryauthority, protect Minnesota jobs and energy reliability, and hopefully help stop the alarming expansion of federal power over state energy policy. Sincerely, a . 1 Qa Fabear be Rep. Dan Fabian, 01A ie) urt fed A Majority Leader Joyce Peppin, 34A me Pat Garfalo, 58B “Tomy i JY api Rep. ae Cornish, 23B Rey eve bee in Af Chey eBeet Rep. Tim Sanders, 37B Rep. Peggy Scott, 35B Nien Rep. Paul Torkelson, 168 to Bob a 32B MowD Fare Ne South Rep. Mary Franson, 088 ere Glenn Gruenhagep, 18B a 1B Re Rep. Debra Ki Joe McDonald, 29 Acie | uy ye No Scho A ds Kee ‘Quam, 25 Rep. 3 Schomacker, 224 i! ups Li bok, ep. Chris Swedzinski, 16A. Rep. Libe, Hancock, 0O2A. Whrrxron. Ga 7 Rep. Steve Green, 028 Rep. Jerr Hertaus, 33A,B Bige— Rep. Brian Johnson, 324 Rép. Ron Kresha, 09B of {/ fl eleayty A { quan Ot Nontereed ISB Rep. Marion O'Neill, 298 Chat yn Whee Vylio~ Rep. Cindy Pugh/33B Rep. Mark Uglent,36A a Wills, 57B Cir Daf lh Jeff Backer, 12A Rep. Dave Baker, 17B Rep. Peggy Bennett, 27A me janiels, 24B Kil Suits Ce hla Py, é x Kelly Fenton, 5B we Josh Heintétnan, 104 Xe Ko: a S8A Rep. Eric Lucero, 04 igs al Pood 77 22) ep. Dale Lueck, 10B Rep Tim Miller, 174 Z Q we Wuson Rep. Roz Peterson, 56B Ber ZZ “Rep. Bob Vogel, 204 ce: The Honorable Governor Mark Dayton