On December 30, CNS News reported that the EPA has taken the unprecedented step of directly issue greenhouse gas permits to Texas industries beginning in January because the state has openly refused to comply with new federal regulations.
According to the article:
"Texas and the EPA have disagreed for years over pollution regulation, but the hostility intensified recently with Republican Gov. Rick Perry accusing the EPA and the Obama administration of overstepping boundaries and meddling in states' rights. With a more conservative state Legislature about to convene next year, there's appetite to keep up that fight.
"The EPA, meanwhile, by flexing its muscles in Texas, may be able to send a message to other states that the days when the agency allowed contentious issues to languish unresolved have ended. Other states have had their differences with the EPA, and at least a dozen have come together in a lawsuit -- along with Texas -- challenging new greenhouse gas regulations."
I have stated before--I am NOT in favor of pollution! However, I am not convinced that the people in Washington have a better idea of what is going on in an individual state better than the people running that state. I am not convinced that Washington bureaucrats are acting in the best interests of Americans--I think special interest groups have taken over the beltway and need to be shown the door.
Texas is one of the few states with a booming economy right now. The state has changed the rules on liability lawsuits and changed its tax policy to make the state more business friendly. The approach has worked--the population of Texas grew 20.6 per cent between 2000 and 2010. The success of the business model of the state of Texas is not a good thing for the Obama Administration--it shows that good tax policy (lower taxes) and tort reform works--that is not a message Washington wants to hear.
It will be interesting to watch this battle play out!
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