Perry to Texans: Choke on it

Perry urges EPA to back off plans to regulate carbon dioxide emissions

This is in response to a recent agreement between the EPA and environmental groups to limit air pollutants from oil and gas drilling operations.

“Clean air is literally being drilled away by the oil and gas industry in all corners of this country,” said Jeremy Nichols, Climate and Energy Program Director for WildEarth Guardians. “Today’s agreement promises to hold the industry accountable and put the nation on track for cleaner air, a safer climate, and greater protection of public health.”

This is nothing but another political stunt from a politician who is well known for putting industry before public health and safety. If anyone wonders why Perry consistently places industry interest over that of the voters, just follow the money…

From Project Vote Smart:

Since this is an important election year, watch that figure expand dramatically.

I don’t think this political stunt will serve Perry well because many of his former supporters live in the Barnett Shale area and they are suffering ill effects from our toxic air.

Perry gives a false choice between clean air and money. Cleaning up our air will actually create jobs for ordinary Texans who will gain jobs as inspectors, and manufacturing the vapor recovery devices and scurbbers necessary to prevent the toxins from entering our air. Operators who are currently using these technologies have found they pay for themselves in a few months, then profits are increased from the captured product.

Sadly, Perry is not alone in this political stunt. Just follow the money to learn why.

“Allowing politics to hijack science is not just a scandal because it exposes hypocrisy, but because it impacts the real lives of 24 million Texans,” said Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams of Arlington, whose agency regulates the oil and gas industry.

What he meant to say: Don’t hijack my campaign contributions which will expand greatly if he becomes a Senator as he greatly desires. From Follow the Money:

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant “would be a job killer” and added, “With double-digit unemployment the last thing Texas families, farmers, and small businesses need is yet another job-killing policy.”

From OpenSecrets.org

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, also opposes the new EPA policy, fearing that it would “stifle job growth and hurt critical industries in Texas,” spokesman Matt Leffingwell said.

Kay Granger thinks we’re stupid.

From OpenSecrets.org

What Perry is doing, typically, is pandering to the polluters who are lining his pockets.”
Tom “Smitty” Smith
director of the Texas office of Public Citizen

For some additional information about toxins emitted into our air by gas development see:

DISH, Texas

Barnett Shale TCEQ Videos Show Fugitive Emissions Find videos in your area.

Chesapeake flares well near Megan Collins’ new home Flaring is not necessary by industry’s own admission. They only reason it occurs is for industry convenience.

Leukemia in Flower Mound I wonder how these typically Republican voters feel about Perry’s stance.

Asbestos in Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid and Other Drilling Products Workers wear respirators during hydraulic fracturing but what about the people and animals who live nearby? As you can see from the videos, this material travels a long distance and settles in the soil and on plants.

I could go on endlessly…

About Sharon Wilson

Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.

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