« A Holiday Victory | Main | The Right Choice »
November 28, 2006
Tough To Swallow
Today's Houston Chronicle has a very troubling piece on the increasing liklihood that the Houston area will fail to meet its federally mandated 2010 deadline for reducing ozone. Apparently state officials now say 2018 may be a more realistic deadline for meeting new standards, perhaps solidifying for another decade Houston's dubious distinction of having some of the dirtiest air in the country.
That TCEQ is now backing away from a deadline that is still four years away is a bad sign, but not surprising considering that last year Governor Perry expedited the permitting of 16 new coal-fired plants, which will only increase carbon emissions across the state. (Question: Why has this issue gotten more coverage in the national press than here at home?) Ironically, as the national unease about global warming, air & water quality, and energy inedependence continues to crescendo, Texas seems to be moving in the opposite direction.
If you are wondering why, the Chronicle piece quotes one local environmental activist saying that the political will "so far hasn't been there" to tackle the local pollution problem, despite a Houston Mayor and City Council that have demonstrated a real commitment on the issue. It is hardly a stretch to say a similar lack of will exists across the state, despite consistent, solid public support for improving the enivronment.
And so, a confrontation is brewing. Will the state ram through these new coal-fired plants, plants that do not employ the cleanest, most up to date technology? Will the state allow scheduled improvements to Houston's air quality to backslide? It's cities and municipalities versus the State of Texas, and while the Governor can still count on a friend in the White House, new Democratic control of Congress clouds predictions on how (if at all) the federal government may come down. After all, the Clean Air Act is their deal, right?
Industry and the state have tried to sell these proposed new plants to the public -- just like they did utility deregulation -- as key to lower rates for consumers. Well, most folks seem to be figuring out that so far deregulation has meant higher utility rates, not savings. For opponents of the new plant permits and relaxing federal standards, current public skepticism may be useful in growing organized opposition.
For ordinary Texans who are concerned about this state's environmental quality (and consequently) public health going forward, the most important action is to make noise. Be sure friends, neighbors, family and colleagues understand what is happening and what is at stake. Of course Texas needs increased capacity to meet the needs of a growing population, but not at the expense of public health. Hold your government accountable to do this the right way.
Posted by houtopia at November 28, 2006 10:32 AM