Branstad says he?ll veto new utility regulation

DES MOINES (AP) ? Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday he would veto a regulation tightening environmental standards for utilities, the first of many moves he plans to ease rules for businesses.

The regulation requiring utilities to install converters on backup diesel generators to cut down on air pollution was approved by the state?s Environmental Protection Commission. Branstad?s 70 days to veto the measure ends next week.

The Republican said he is vetoing the regulation because backup generators are rarely used but the converters are expensive. He said forcing the installation isn?t worth the cost.

Utility company officials said the backups actually run about an average of 10 days a year, but installing the converters would drive up costs.

David Goodner, a community organizer for Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, argued Branstad is ?putting the interests of big-money corporate interests ahead of the environment. ... For the governor to be rescinding everything he thinks is burdensome to business without any input from the public or the state legislature is troubling.?