Gov. Tim Pawlenty to Congress: "Stop harmful EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions."

Pawlenty and 19 other governors Wednesday wrote to congressional leaders that if the EPA moves ahead on its plan to regulate greenhouse gas emissions it could harm the fragile economy.

"As governors, we have the responsibility to protect jobs, promote economic growth and mitigate any threats to financial stability in our states. We oppose EPA regulation of greenhouse gases that fails to account for these responsibilities," the letter to the two House and two Senate leaders said. "We...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."

If the EPA moves ahead, the letter said, it could increase cost of electricity, gas and manufactured products and could "ultimately harm the competitiveness of the U.S. economy. As governors, we strongly urge Congress to stop harmful EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that could damage those vital interests."

President Barack Obama and the EPA administrator have also said they'd like Congress, not the EPA, to move forward on greenhouse gas regulation. But Congress has yet to agree on any regulation.

"While the House passed climate legislation in June, the Senate is still divided on whether to adopt a bill setting limits on greenhouse gases," according to the Washington Post.

Here's the letter from the governors.