Fed Up!, by Rick Perry: on Environment


Rick Perry: Flexible permitting: cap emissions for entire facility

Obama's EPA doesn't care much for Texas's innovative flexible-permitting system, which establishes pollution caps for entire facilities rather than for each source (like a smokestack) within the facility. This flexible approach requires refineries and other businesses to contain their overall emissions, therefore satisfying the federal standards, but allows them the leeway to determine how best and most efficiently to do so. It was put to place under Democratic governor Ann Richards while Bill Clinton was president, and was never disapproved by the federal bureaucrats. In June 2010, the EPA broadened its takeover, invalidating all 122 flexible permits.

The EPA must have stepped in to stop a major pollution problem, right? Actually, Texas's commonsense system has been hugely successful in tackling air pollution. Over the past decade, Texas has achieved a 22% reduction in ozone and a 46% reduction in NOx emissions, outpacing the rest of the country, which achieved only a 27% reduction in NOx

Source: Fed Up!, by Gov. Rick Perry, p. 89 Nov 15, 2010

Rick Perry: Katrina: feds impede crucial work; get out of the way

In the aftermath of Katrina, it goes without saying that the federal government had numerous roles. From organizing transportation to having set up the Citizens Corps network that helped us organize from the ground up in the first place. Some of it worked, some of it didn't. Of course, the federal government should have a role in dealing with a massive disaster that affected such a large part of the nation. My frustration mounts in particular, however, when the federal government impedes crucial work. We can fight about money tomorrow. But today, when we need action, get out of the way.

After Katrina, we faced numerous challenges as the federal government bureaucracy dragged its feet. As thousands of people poured into our state, FEMA was not helping us find housing. Worse, though. They were prohibiting us from working with other states to spread folks out, which would have been better for everyone involved.

Source: Fed Up!, by Gov. Rick Perry, p.153 Nov 15, 2010

  • The above quotations are from Fed Up!: Our Fight to Save America from Washington.
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Page last updated: Aug 18, 2011