There are several hearings and a press conference being held in regards to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation on greenhouse gases (GHG), specifically how those decisions impact Texas.
Yesterday, in Austin, was the first meeting of the Texas EPA Task Force, a group of Republican state legislators and members of Congress. The task force of regulators and industry representatives was formed by Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, to look into complaints that EPA’s permit rules are overly burdensome for Texas coal-fired power plants and other industries.
They also held a press conference at noon in the Lt. Governor’s Press Room. From their advisory as reported in the media: “The goal of the task force, which is made up of state and federal officials, is to bring together those who are on the front lines of protecting Texas from the job-destroying over-regulation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The group plans on discussing what has been going on legally and legislatively in Washington and Austin. The task force will also outline strategies moving forward that will protect Texas’ environment while at the same time promote economic growth.”
The Energy Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Power will also hold a field hearing in Houston March 24, focusing on regulatory obstacles for Texas plants in general.
Details:
The Subcommittee on Energy and Power has scheduled a field hearing on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. at the Garrett-Townes Auditorium at the South Texas College of Law, 1303 San Jacinto Street, Houston, Texas 77002. The field hearing is entitled “EPA’s Greenhouse Gas and Clean Air Act Regulations: A Focus on Texas’ Economy, Energy Prices and Jobs.”
Panel 1
The Honorable Greg Abbott
Attorney General
State of Texas
The Honorable Bryan W. Shaw
Chairman
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
The Honorable Todd Staples
Commissioner
Texas Department of Agriculture
Panel 2
Ms. Kathleen Harnett White
Director, Armstrong Center
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Mr. James Griffin
Plant Manager
Dianal America
Mr. James Marston
Environmental Defense Fund
Panel 3
The Honorable Gina McCarthy
Assistant Administrator
Office of Air and Radiation
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
