17 Feb Really, Governor Perry? You’re suing the EPA, really?

 The question that’s been on my mind all morning, “Who does Governor Perry think he is?”  This morning Governor Perry announced his plans to sue the Environmental Protection Agency based on their endangerment finding: that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases constitute a danger to public health and welfare and are subject to common sense regulation under the Clean Air Act.  In response, Public Citizen and Sierra Club Issue Citation to Governor Perry for “Endangering” Texans 

Governor Perry’s claims are false and are not based on the overwhelming scientific evidence that CO2 does in fact contribute to Global Warming, and that we need to act now.  In fact, 39 states have already taken action or have plans to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing CO2 emissions because those states recognize the threat of global warming and they recognize the opportunity to be gained by acting now.  

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and scientific bodies from every major industrialized nation in the world, including India and China, agree that

a) climate change is real, b) that it’s man-made, and that c) the effects will have impacts beyond our imagination if we don’t act quickly.   

Instead of taking a huge step backwards as Governor Perry would prefer, Texas can be a leader in the clean energy economy.  There are 12 new coal plants proposed in Texas, which could contribute an additional 77 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.  We could create 84,000 MORE jobs than we would lose by investing in renewable energy like solar and wind, energy efficiency and renewable agriculture, and families would save up to $200 a year on electricity bills.   

That’s the future I want to see.  Instead of investing in old, dirty energy like Coal plants, Texas can be the Clean Energy Jobs leader.  Texas should support the Endangerement Finding, not fight it.  It’s the best thing for Texans health, for our economy, and for our childrens future.  

Statements by Ken Kramer and Eva Hernandez on Carbon Dioxide Regulation 
 
"Texas is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide among the 50 states. Our state should be taking a leadership role in reducing those emissions by forging ahead in building a strong clean energy economy.  By challenging national efforts to curb greenhouse emissions Texas 
public officials are doing a disservice to the people of our state. 
Texans are tired of dirty air and self-serving political rhetoric. Texans want clean air, and they want leaders who will take positive action to achieve that goal.” 
Ken Kramer, Director of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. 
 
“Energy companies’ plans to build 12 new coal plants in Texas would mean even more carbon dioxide emissions in our state.  We already have 17 existing coal plants that we need to clean up and phase out.  We can’t build more coal plants and achieve healthy air quality levels. 
Like 39 other states that are assertively addressing the problem of global warming, Texas officials need to lead now on reducing carbon dioxide, cleaning up the air, and building the clean energy economy that Texans are calling for.” 
Eva Hernandez, Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign