A group of Republican governors is pushing back against clean energy mandates — and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has joined the effort.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced the new Governors’ Coalition for Energy Choice this week, citing rising costs.
“I hope that America continues to lean heavily into innovation, not just a regulatory fix and setting artificial demands that are, I think, lofty, sound good on paper, don’t get there and then ultimately lead to higher prices and a disgruntled populace,” Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said.
He said some renewable mandates are ideological statements not based in reality.
“Let’s invest in innovation and let’s not set goals that are out of reach,” he said. “I’ll continue to advocate for more investment, like we’re doing here in the state of Indiana, to embrace alternative sources. Add, so it’s addition to our portfolio, and that then encourages competition, and that hopefully would lead to a lowering of cost.”
Others involved are the governors of Georgia, Tennessee, Wyoming, Arkansas, South Dakota and Virginia, according to a news release.
Stitt’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
“Everyone wants reliable energy, whether that be electricity, heating and cooling, and transportation. One thing is clear — states that enhance energy choice also enjoy lower energy costs, increase reliability, and attract businesses and employment opportunities,” Louisiana’s Landry said. “As governor of a major energy producing state, I know that it is important to sustain those trends for the benefit of residents and businesses.”
The organization says it aims to ensure continued “energy choice,” minimize permitting and other regulatory barriers, limit “expensive” energy mandates, focus on energy infrastructure affordability and reliability, and coordinate to manage energy resources and the environment.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Kevin Stitt, other GOP governors, join ‘energy choice’ coalition
