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Hot Air in Texas: Gov Perry Challenges the EPA

By Tanya Roth, Esq. on February 17, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

As discussed in a prior post on FindLaw's Decided, the EPA has taken a major step in its fight against climate change and greenhouse gases. Late last year, the Agency released its findings that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses were pollutants that "threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations." These findings may pave the way for stricter regulations on the emissions of the pollutants. Now, the state of Texas begs to differ.

According to reports by MSNBC, Texas Governor Rick Perry and other officials have challenged the EPA findings in a federal court and have directly asked the Agency to reconsider those findings. Governor Perry does not try to dissemble the fact that this decision is based on economic considerations. MSNBC quotes the Governor as saying, "The EPA's misguided plan paints a big target on the backs of Texas agriculture and energy producers and the hundreds of thousands of Texans they employ." According to the Governor, the EPA's findings were based on flawed science.

As reported by MSNBC, critics of the Governor's action call him short sighted and say his challenge is based on ideas of the "old" economy. "Global warming is the greatest environmental threat facing Texas and the planet and Gov. Perry's obstructionism puts the state at great risk," said Luke Metzger of Environment Texas.

Governor Perry, appeared in the state capital of Austin, flanked by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, to make the announcement. The Governor added that state has a strong record of improving air quality by cutting emissions without federal intervention.

Texas reportedly leads the nation in the emission of greenhouse gases.

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