As part of Obama's new political initiative to bypass a Congress that rejected his leadership in 2009 and 2010, he has announced executive orders to allow the federal government to restrict economic activity to fit legislative goals he apparently no longer believes he can win in political debate. One of the most important new targets in this new post-congressional agenda is Texas. The EPA is messing with Texas in ways that threaten to disrupt the biggest jobs-producer in the United States.
The EPA is moving to restrict Texas' ability to continue as the largest production base for natural gas in the nation. As the largest consumer and producer of natural gas, Texas provides an important alternative in energy production to the conventional fossil fuels of coal and oil. Those fuels have fallen into dire regulatory restrictions that Vice President Biden suggested should eventually lead to the end of coal production in the United States. Natural gas has emerged as an important transitional fuel to the green economy. Despite this, the Obama administration is moving to limit this component of Texas' economic boom.
A secret weapon in the battle over Texas is EPA regulator Dr. Al Armendariz. Armendariz was tapped by the Obama administration to limit natural gas production in Texas. In his seminal article on natural gas production from the Barnett shale in North Texas, Armendariz argues that gas production contributes more to global warming than automotive traffic in Dallas:
For comparison, 2009 emission inventories recently used by state and federal regulators estimated smog- forming emissions from all airports in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area to be 16 tpd. In addition, these same inventories had emission estimates for on-road motor vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.) in the 9- county Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area of 273 tpd. The portion of on-road motorvehicle emissions from the 5-counties in the D-FW metropolitan area with significant oil and gas production was 121 tpd, indicating that the oil and gas sector likely has greater emissions than motor vehicles in these counties.
The research relies on "personal conversations" Armendariz had with natural gas-producers in the Dallas area. This is not generally an acceptable standard for research, but it is laying the foundationfor intensely regulating the last major fossil fuel that Texas and the United States can turn to in the 21stcentury. The promotion of the activist/expert to the EPA bodes ill for energy use in the United States. The EPA plans to designate Dallas air as "serious" with regard to ozone pollution based on 1997 standards. Though Dallas has economically boomed and had a population increase of more than 25% since 1997, the city has reduced ozone levels from 102 parts per billion to 86 parts per billion. This impressive feat draws no acceptance from the EPA, and the 2 ppb will be enough to designate Dallas as having some of the dirtiest air in the nation. Dallas air is getting cleaner and will likely soon meet the 1997 standard despite rapid economic growth, but the EPA is eager to dim the star of Lone Star success.
The broader war on CO2 is also important. The potential ramifications for natural gas-producers are huge since CO2 regulation is authorized by a 2007 Supreme Court decision that allows the EPA to regulate such emissions. The messing with Texas is compounded by ideological documentaries such as Gasland which try to deceive the public into believing that natural gas extraction contaminates water supplies. Though gas is extracted nearly a mile below the water supply, ideologues showhomeowners dependent on well water setting fire to their water taps from gases presumably introduced by gas drilling. Though the causation is purely speculative and can definitely happen without the presence of gas drilling, the scare tactics are having the same effect they had on nuclear power with "China Syndrome" and an array of fear-mongering tactics designed to destroy practical access to energy sources inside the United States.
The consequence of this long-running fear-mongering over domestic energy is that the United States pays billions of dollars to dangerous governments around the world to extract the same energy without meaningful regulation. This means that the world is more polluted than it would be from American sources and that Americans fund jobs elsewhere, drive up oil prices, fund an array of overseas activity -- including terrorism. The specific effort to mess with Texas energy production reduces one of our nation's most productive internal economies. Americans are flocking to the state, as shown by the 2010 census, and departing from states holding the EPA's view of greenhouse gases.
We would do well to expand the impact statement approach to environmental policies like this one. What will be the global impact of reducing Texas' ability to produce energy? Why is allowing a nation such as Mexico unbridled access to Gulf drilling or other forms of fossil fuel extraction superior to Texas' approach? If the EPA knows that energy consumption is not going to be reduced by regulation, do they bear a burden in increasing global pollution through the executive orders signed by the president? These are all more than fair questions going forward.
These comments are good and I agree that alot of states would like to self govern, and that the federal government shoukd let them do that. And the Epa should give back control to the states, and onlly have control when the state cannot find a peaceful option...........
Jan 30, 02:37 AM |
I thought we had individual states for a reason. When will the people tire of the federal government dictating what can and cannot happen in our own state? The states have allowed the government to make more and more decisions and regulations that used to be decided on a state and city level. We need to take back control!
Jan 30, 04:58 AM |
I know Congress has its hands full trying to investigate all of the illegal and unconstitutional things the obama administration has done, but they better move this one up on the list. This is nothing but domestic terrorism: obama declaring war on his own country. I'm from Texas and call this treason.
Jan 30, 06:45 AM |
The federal government is pulling it's own Cloward & Piven strategy on the American people. Overwhelm us with regulatory tsars and edicts to the point that we cannot investigate or nullify them fast enough. Someone must step forward and become the 'controlling legal authority'. This administration MUST be defeated and SOON!
Jan 30, 06:45 AM |
Texas just needs to thumb their nose at them. How are they going to enforce it? Send this moron there to say Stop!...lol. Just like one of their darlings from the past...Andrew Jackson....on a scotus decision he didn't agree with..."..good for them, now let them enforce it..."
Jan 30, 07:15 AM |
I'm counting on enough "Don't Mess With Texas" Americans not to let the EPA and the libs (& yes it's also very political too!) get away with this!!! I'm ordering my "Don't Mess.... T-shirt today. This is war. Can't keep sitting on our hands. The libs would love to take down TX.
Jan 30, 07:26 AM |
ABOLISH THE EPA and all the alphabet soup named governmental agencies. I am old enough to remember life without all of these agencies and it was indeed simpler. WE've gotten ourselves into a mess, but we can get out of it by demanding Congress to abolish these agencies and their minions.
Jan 30, 07:57 AM |
It is being reported that Obama Directly Confronted' Mubarak for Past 2 Years To Get Ahead of This. So the intelligence communities have been telling Obama that this was a possibility, if that was the case than they also told him that this could possibly disrupt oil supplies from the mid east. And not one new well was drilled, no areas were opened up for exploration, no leases were given out. No increases to our reserve supplies to cope with this possibility and now we are going to be paying out the nose for oil for years to come. Now he sets his sights on Texas, using the EPA to reduce the production of a viable energy source, that has the potential to destroy one of the few bright spots the United States currently has.
At what point do we wake up and realize that this man is not a friend to our country, he does not have our best interest at heart, and that from all appearances he is out to destroy us. It is time to impeach this moron, remove him from office and try him for treason. It is time to stop him from harming our country with more of his governmental controls, grandiose spending, redistribution of wealth, global warming BS, and his socialist mentality. I for one am no longer going to be silent, I'm tired of this administrations flagrant abuse of powers, total disregard for the American people and unlawful actions. 2012 is too far away, we need to fix this now. Impeach Obama!
At what point do we wake up and realize that this man is not a friend to our country, he does not have our best interest at heart, and that from all appearances he is out to destroy us. It is time to impeach this moron, remove him from office and try him for treason. It is time to stop him from harming our country with more of his governmental controls, grandiose spending, redistribution of wealth, global warming BS, and his socialist mentality. I for one am no longer going to be silent, I'm tired of this administrations flagrant abuse of powers, total disregard for the American people and unlawful actions. 2012 is too far away, we need to fix this now. Impeach Obama!
Jan 30, 07:57 AM |
I live in the DFW metroplex, and recently the EPA did a supposedly "secret" flyover of the area; i.e., an email alert circulated through the university community. They didn't want people to be scared by a plane flying 500 feet above the city, but at the same time they didn't want to make it public until after the event. Odd logic.
The EPA said they were doing it in advance of the Super Bowl game. They wanted to measure particulates in the air to use as a baseline against any possible radiological terrorist events that might occur during the game, and to measure the impact of traffic emissions.
From this article, I now know the REAL reason for the flyover. The metroplex is booming while the rest of the country lingers. What's worse, this is Bush's Texas. This is Obama's revenge on Texas in particular, and on America as a whole.
The Obama administration is either evil or insane.
The EPA said they were doing it in advance of the Super Bowl game. They wanted to measure particulates in the air to use as a baseline against any possible radiological terrorist events that might occur during the game, and to measure the impact of traffic emissions.
From this article, I now know the REAL reason for the flyover. The metroplex is booming while the rest of the country lingers. What's worse, this is Bush's Texas. This is Obama's revenge on Texas in particular, and on America as a whole.
The Obama administration is either evil or insane.
Jan 30, 08:39 AM |
The left has transformed the "steel belt" into the rust belt. They have transformed our manufacturing industries into centers for unemployment recipients. And they are now focusing "like a laser" on the remaining industry that keeps us going; energy. It only encourages them to find that Red States such as Texas are vulnerable to their attacks through these destructive regulations. It is impossible to find any logic in actions which, for example make it a practical impossibility to drill in the Gulf while other nations which are not hamstrung by the EPA suck up the resources. As I read Texas history, I find that once upon a time the citizens here had the courage to stand up to a government that no longer ruled in accordance with the Constitution. I hope we still have the backbone to do that again. In a non-violent way of course.
Jan 30, 08:42 AM |
Bureaucrats are to Liberty what what CO2 is to a fire. When it builds up to a high enough level it extinguishes the fire. At lower concentrations it kills people. The EPA bureaucrats have already reached the concentration that they destroys peoples lives. Now they are getting ready to kill the economy.
Jan 30, 08:45 AM |
The research relies on "personal conversations" Armendariz had with natural gas-producers in the Dallas area. This is not generally an acceptable standard for research...
Close enough for government work.
I say ignore the EPA. Just ignore them. What are they going to do?
Send out lawyers. Fortunately, they're edible. My cat can't tell the difference.
Close enough for government work.
I say ignore the EPA. Just ignore them. What are they going to do?
Send out lawyers. Fortunately, they're edible. My cat can't tell the difference.
Jan 30, 09:04 AM |
We are going to have $8 a gallon gas, if we're lucky it'll just be 8, sooner rather than later. We've had no new increases and clamps put on current oil producers here. The radicals in Egypt will control the Suez Canal in the near future and then we'll be off our dependence on the foreign oil sold to us by folks who don't like us . Maybe we could turn to Brazil where we've invested in Petrobras, or even Cuba when the Chinese get oil from under the Gulf of Mexico. There won't be enough coal to supply power plants by the time the EPA gets done, either.
Jan 30, 09:04 AM |
It's time to write, email, Fax and call the Governor, and, tell him to ignore any unconstitutional orders from the self annointed Headquarters, just as someone noted Andrew Jackson did 150 years ago (Ive got that quote in my computer somewhere). Gov. Perry needs to turn off the Gas Pipe Lines running to the North Eastern States, until the Kenyan understands that he is not a King, nor is he a Messiah.
As I recall, Tyranny is mentioned in both the Declaration of Independence, and, the Constitution...it's a Capital Crime to declare War on the People, or the States in the absence of insurrection or just cause.
As I recall, Tyranny is mentioned in both the Declaration of Independence, and, the Constitution...it's a Capital Crime to declare War on the People, or the States in the absence of insurrection or just cause.
Jan 30, 09:22 AM |
The EPA is a pox on this country, and has caused the loss of millions of jobs due to regulations that incentivise
companies to simply move out of the country.
The conditions they impose upon industry and manufacturing are often based on political whim or back door
green agendas, and have hugely inflated scientific justifications or none at all.
The particulate emissions standards dictated by the EPA have caused diesel engines to become vastly more complicated and unreliable, and less efficient than engines of even five years ago, requiring more diesel fuel per unit of work done, not less. Catepillar, a long time
icon in the business of diesel engines, has ceased production entirely.
The EPA's efforts towards CO2 emission is the linchpin of their effort to dismantle this economy. Congress will be
criminally negligent if they do not take immediate action to reverse the trajectory of the EPA and change the
perpetual meddlers who control this abomination.
companies to simply move out of the country.
The conditions they impose upon industry and manufacturing are often based on political whim or back door
green agendas, and have hugely inflated scientific justifications or none at all.
The particulate emissions standards dictated by the EPA have caused diesel engines to become vastly more complicated and unreliable, and less efficient than engines of even five years ago, requiring more diesel fuel per unit of work done, not less. Catepillar, a long time
icon in the business of diesel engines, has ceased production entirely.
The EPA's efforts towards CO2 emission is the linchpin of their effort to dismantle this economy. Congress will be
criminally negligent if they do not take immediate action to reverse the trajectory of the EPA and change the
perpetual meddlers who control this abomination.
Jan 30, 09:25 AM |
It makes no difference whether the obama administration is evil or insane, it is destructive and going out of its way to make life in OUR USA less desirable. The obama administration IS criminal. If the voters refuse to recognize this fact and deal with it in whichever ways they can, then we are indeed headed for bad times in our country. A president/dictator choosing to RULE here by executive order and bypassing the checks and balances offered by our Congress is treading on thin ice. The November election rejection of obama's policies is being totally ignored by the messiah. If anything he looks to be putting the petal to the floorboard and going full speed ahead and counting on getting himself reelected in 2012. The first order of business of a person who can beat him next year should be to smack down the EPA. It's doomsville if obama is allowed another term in office. It will be like giving him the OK that we like everything he is doing, that he was right all along, and press on and do whatever you like to our country.
Jan 30, 09:38 AM |
To my fellow posters, you are referred to Federalist #26. Pay special attention to Paragraph 10 and maybe ask something to the effect of; "Are my NEIGHBORS who have been elected to local and state legislative offices loyal to their states / communities, thereby their NEIGHBORS, or are they suckups to the federal government"?
I'm retired U.S. Armed Forces and by birthright and oath of public SERVICE my loyalty is to my neighbors, community first. Should ANY government type forget that one all important word, "NEIGHBOR" and what it means then THEY become no better than the COMMON CRIMINAL when they act. ANY person who wears the badge or uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces then they to are no better that COMMON CRIMINALS.
I'm retired U.S. Armed Forces and by birthright and oath of public SERVICE my loyalty is to my neighbors, community first. Should ANY government type forget that one all important word, "NEIGHBOR" and what it means then THEY become no better than the COMMON CRIMINAL when they act. ANY person who wears the badge or uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces then they to are no better that COMMON CRIMINALS.
Jan 30, 10:15 AM |
The EPA takeover of our economy is down-the-line doctrinaire Marxist ideology and is so blatant, it's almost laughable. There is NO climate crisis and there is NO need to regulate natural gas for the sake of its--alleged--pollution effects. The point is, by using trumped up, falsified claims of pollution and climate damage, it gives the Marxists a pretext to take over all the economy, wreck it, then construct it in the Fascist/Corporate/Socialist manner they desire.
The ONLY solution now is for individual states to ban together AND for their elected representatives in Washington to support them. Obama is not Lincoln and although he might be ruthless, he does not have the cajones or conviction to fight off a serious challenge.
The ONLY solution now is for individual states to ban together AND for their elected representatives in Washington to support them. Obama is not Lincoln and although he might be ruthless, he does not have the cajones or conviction to fight off a serious challenge.
Jan 30, 10:25 AM |
Al Spears said: "A president/dictator choosing to RULE here by executive order and bypassing the checks and balances offered by our Congress is treading on thin ice."
Very thin ice, indeed, and it's going to get even more perilous as he shuts down America's primary energy resources, so let's have a contest to answer the following question. (Bookmark this comment section, then come back here when the event actually happens to see which one of us made the correct prediction.)
The public will call for Barack Obama's impeachment when gas prices reach $__________ per gallon.
I predict $5.25. What say you?
P.S. To editors at American Thinker - Please consider putting a straw poll for this "contest" on your website.
Very thin ice, indeed, and it's going to get even more perilous as he shuts down America's primary energy resources, so let's have a contest to answer the following question. (Bookmark this comment section, then come back here when the event actually happens to see which one of us made the correct prediction.)
The public will call for Barack Obama's impeachment when gas prices reach $__________ per gallon.
I predict $5.25. What say you?
P.S. To editors at American Thinker - Please consider putting a straw poll for this "contest" on your website.
Jan 30, 11:46 AM |
E. Goldstein, Jan 30, 08:42 AM - "When it builds up to a high enough level it extinguishes the fire. At lower concentrations it kills people. "
I don't know what low levels you are referring, but relative to the current average global concentration of CO2 of about 380 parts per million (PPM), CO2 levels can be increased dramatically with no health risks to humans. OSHA allows workplace concentration something like 13 times this level (5,000 PPM) (don't quote me I haven't checked recently). As i recall, it could have been even higher, but they wanted to be conservative and select a lower level. Also, I think concentration limits in military submarines are at least 8,000 PPM.
Bottom line is that environmental CO2 has virtually no likelihood of reaching unhealthy levels and causing any human health problems. It is dangerous to communication of the truth to say otherwise without significantly qualifying what levels you are referring to. The progressive/socialist/marxist/communists have spun a web of untruths already on CO2. We need to be diligent in unraveling the mess
I don't know what low levels you are referring, but relative to the current average global concentration of CO2 of about 380 parts per million (PPM), CO2 levels can be increased dramatically with no health risks to humans. OSHA allows workplace concentration something like 13 times this level (5,000 PPM) (don't quote me I haven't checked recently). As i recall, it could have been even higher, but they wanted to be conservative and select a lower level. Also, I think concentration limits in military submarines are at least 8,000 PPM.
Bottom line is that environmental CO2 has virtually no likelihood of reaching unhealthy levels and causing any human health problems. It is dangerous to communication of the truth to say otherwise without significantly qualifying what levels you are referring to. The progressive/socialist/marxist/communists have spun a web of untruths already on CO2. We need to be diligent in unraveling the mess
Jan 30, 12:21 PM |
Texas is 1 of the last strongholds of freedom, free enterprise, and self-government. That makes them an enemy, plain and simple. They must be probed for weaknesses and destroyed by law, and by executive order. That may sound like hyperbole, but it isn't. Watch your backs, my Texas friends and fight this evil blight on our nation.
Jan 30, 12:49 PM |
We live in Texas and say screw the feds and drill baby drill. The Barnett Shale deposit put real $$ into our family's pocket through bonuses and lease royalties and created thousands of jobs.
DC has become a parasite ... we need to abolish bloodsuckers like the EPA.
Remember, Texas has its own grid.
DC has become a parasite ... we need to abolish bloodsuckers like the EPA.
Remember, Texas has its own grid.
Jan 30, 01:01 PM |
This concerted effort to ram CO2 policy down the throats of Americans is more effective at subversion and destruction of the American economy and way of life than Al Qaeda. It is based on computer nonsense and data fabrications by politically correct scientists and environmentalists whose "green" banner may as well be bright Red. Who needs Waxman-Markey when you have a court system that is dumbed down and apparently incapable of having EPA show it that there is proof of CO2 endangerment of the earth before that Agency proceeds to interfere with energy production, whether from oil, coal or gas, or to dictate inflated stupidly inefficient green-energy purchase requirements to electric utilities?
Texas has been a leading state in demanding sound science on both CO2 and Ozone. Its reward is a federal bureaucracy determined to crush its dissent. If the Republicans do not expose and stop this outrage, then we can kiss goodbye to future prosperity.
Texas has been a leading state in demanding sound science on both CO2 and Ozone. Its reward is a federal bureaucracy determined to crush its dissent. If the Republicans do not expose and stop this outrage, then we can kiss goodbye to future prosperity.
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