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Today, we take a look at the long running feud between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas regulators and agencies:
When President Obama took office it didn’t take too long for the US Environmental Protection Agency to declare Texas as a non-compliant state in respect of federal regulations dealing with fuel emissions. So started a feuding war, between Texas State legislators and agencies with environmental responsibilities and the federal government.
Tensions between Texas and Washington D.C., including the White House, have not been, shall we say, cordial. Hackles were raised on both sides, with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality refusing to act on the recommendations of the EPA. The EPA retaliated by revoking that agency’s power to issue pollution permits.
The move gave the EPA direct authority over the granting of permits to refineries, cement plants and power generation facilities. But Texas was not the only state to come in for short-shrift, with the EPA establishing an oversight framework for 7 other states, though the Lone Star State is the only state to refuse to comply with the EPA’s rules.
Nevertheless, Texan lawmakers have vowed to take the issue to Congress and Governor Rick Perry has been vociferous in his criticism of the EPA and the federal government’s conduct. In November 2010, Texas returned four more representatives to the House in the 2010 elections (because of the increase in state’s population) and they are also making the issue a talking point on the Hill.
So what is the EPA doing which has created this catfight?
The EPA carbon emission rules are imposing a burden on Texas’ industry and agriculture. The implementation has a direct impact in terms of increased fuel and energy prices which affects the whole state economy. In some extreme instances there have been energy shortages created too. The EPA emission regulations don’t just impact businesses; consumers will ultimately foot the bill with increased costs and pricing across the entire range of goods and services, including food and medicine.
Governor Perry is planning on taking the issue to federal court to block the EPA and the federal government from intruding on what Texas considers to be a state right. Nevertheless, President Obama has signaled his intention to continue to press for reduced emissions across the country, not least so the United States can become compliant with international agreements governing emissions and reducing global environmental impact.
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