Texas Insider Report: Washington D.C. Enough is enough. The Obama Administration is overstepping its bounds. Since the states appeals have fallen on deaf ears not only with the EPA but also with the courts it is time for us to take the next step to protect Texas economy" said Rep. Joe Barton (R-Arlington/Ennis) after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District Of Columbias recent ruling allowing the EPA to move forward with a federal take over of Texas air permitting process a move that will cripple the Texas economy.
This week the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of letting the EPA move forward with a misguided take over of Texas successful air quality permitting program. I couldnt disagree more with this ruling because the EPAs plan has the potential to gravely disrupt the economic stability of our great state.
The EPA and now the Court of Appeals appear to be ignoring one important fact: the State of Texas has been extremely successful in improving air quality
over the past decade and has been a national leader in reducing emissions and known pollutants.
I plan to sit down with other members of the Texas delegation state leaders and stakeholders to draft legislation that keeps the EPA from using
the Clean Air Act to take over our states air permitting process - in addition to regulating greenhouse gasses which were never the intent of this law.
I also plan to form a task force which will not only help in the legal battle but also take this fight public so that Texans know exactly how this ruling will crush our economy.
The uncertainty surrounding the EPAs plan to take over permitting at Texas facilities is putting major new projects (including pollution control projects) on hold stalling the creation of thousands of associated new jobs and creating substantial regulatory uncertainty for many facilities across the state that directly employ tens of thousands of workers.
This affects every industry in Texas from manufacturing and energy generation to farming and chemical production.
The regulations will also lead to higher product prices prices that will undoubtedly be passed on to consumers.
Instead of penalizing Texas and trying to supersede our states successful program one that has proven to reduce emissions and improve air quality the federal government should be applauding our efforts and promoting our successes."
