Posted on 05/25/2010 10:27:17 PM PDT by smokingfrog
Objecting to how Texas regulates air pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday it is taking over the issuance of an operating permit for a Corpus Christi refinery and could step in at some 39 other major facilities across the state.
“I think the writing will be on the wall — unless we start seeing better permits that address our objections, we are very likely to begin federalizing others,” EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz said in a telephone interview. “The state is not following federal Clean Air Act requirements.”
Tuesday's unprecedented action affected a Flint Hills Resources refinery in Corpus Christi. The EPA's action means the facility must submit an application with detailed information to the federal agency, which could approve or deny a permit.
The company said it was evaluating a letter from the EPA notifying plant officials of the move.
The list of facilities that could come next the include chemical plants, refineries and other facilities, such as the Goodyear Tire & Rubber plants in Bayport and Houston, the Motiva Enterprises Houston terminal, Rhodia Inc.'s Houston plant, the Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou facility and Valero's Texas City facility. Other company permits that have drawn scrutiny from the EPA include Exxon Mobil, Dow Chemical Co. and Formosa Plastics.
“We've never objected to 40 permits issued by a state permitting authority, and we've not federalized a permit in a state in this manner before unless we were requested to do so by a state or a particular facility,” Armendariz said. “The action we're taking today, together with the 40 objections, is unprecedented.”
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
The 18 to 30 vote put him over the top. They are about to grow up fast. Axelrod’s game of using the kiddies (he did it to get Deval Patrick in too) has about played out I think. Can’t see another wave of Obama Zombies...the former wave will laugh at them for being the idiots they were.
Sarah Palin could be helpful on this one.
What exactly is meant by “federalizing” Texas refineries?
Just when Obama is on the ropes for his handling of the Gulf Oil Leak out comes the EPA power grab to punish oil and chemical polluters.
And the administration's man uses words the Enviro-wakkos like to hear when talking about big new enforcement efforts such as “Unprecedented”.
I can just imagine the tingle running up their legs.
Exactly. Air pollution certainly affects states downwind and Texas needs to play by the rules. But how do we know they didn't and this isn't just an excuse by Obama to federalize another industry?
We’ve never objected to 40 permits issued by a state permitting authority, and we’ve not federalized a permit in a state in this manner before unless we were requested to do so by a state or a particular facility,” Armendariz said. “The action we’re taking today, together with the 40 objections, is unprecedented.”
Texas to EPA: Don’t mess with Texas.”
Really, Texas legislature needs to criminalize this unconstitutional invasion by EPA.
Calling Rick Perry
Has anyone seen Rick Perry?
<<<(crickets)>>>
Good for recognizing the problem, Perry. Yeah, it's called the 10th Amendment.
But enough talk — do something about it or the Federal government will
start shutting down these plants if it doesn't meet their “requirements”.
Well, a little over a month ago the Bamster said that he was “comin’ for Texas.”
Thanks for the ping!
Nationalized refinery licensing?
$10 gal. (or higher) gasoline prices.
Time to dig into Armendariz’s life. Little thugs working for The One usually have some nifty skeletons or some kind of fraud in their background.
Thanks for the ping.
Private ownership, government control.
Isn’t that the textbook definition of fascism?
Nationalize.
Anything and everything the Feds can do to screw Texas, will and has been done at the behest of the current administration...
And they will not stop...
Yep. How long will people let the Feds play this game?
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