Blowing Smoke

A new ruling by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week will require 27 states, including Texas, to reduce nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions from its coal-fired power plants by installing updated equipment. The decreased output of greenhouse gases will benefit air quality on a national scale. Despite resistance from Texas officials, The Houston Chronicle argues that the mandate is perfectly reasonable, and states that "clean air does not start or stop at the state line."


Perry and republican leaders cite federal overreach, loss of jobs, and increased expenses for Texas families as reasons why the new plan is not in Texas's best interest. However, no one can dispute the significant incentives for instating the new regulations. The EPA projections are clear, "by 2014 the rule will prevent up to 34,000 premature deaths, 400,000 cases of aggravated asthma and 1.8 million sick days a year, saving up to $280 billion annually in health costs." Furthermore, The Houston Chronicle counters Perry's claims by noting that the $800 million required annually to bring about the change will cost Texas families about an additional dollar to their monthly electricity bill. The logic in these straightforward arguments are credible and aim to convince opponents of the new ruling that these required improvements will benefit Texas, and the United States, with extremely minor inconveniences for Texans. 


Finally, support of the EPA's new ruling is a moral obligation on Texas's part. The state of Texas has 19 coal-fired power plants (the most in the country) and is the biggest polluter of the nation. Texas pollutes the air of many other states, and is the leader in nitrogen oxide emissions. Rather than resist environmental policy at every turn, Perry should welcome the opportunity to improve Texas's environmental record and take steps to lose the title as "the #1 polluter in the U.S." (and #7 polluter in the world!, climateark.org)


As The Houston Chronicle states, "we're all in this together." Let's help to enact this change, rather than fight it.