Inspector General Exposes EPA’s Disregard for Scientific Protocol

A report issued this week by the EPA’s inspector general uncovers that costly greenhouse gas regulations were hastily instituted against standard protocol. Why am I not surprised?

As you may recall, Gov. Perry and I challenged these greenhouse regulations in February 2010 on behalf of farmers, ranchers and other industry workers who stood to be priced out of business, rendered uncompetitive or left unemployed by bureaucratic corner cutting. Even in the best of economic times, I will not stand by and watch jobs be lost to reckless politics and a blatant disregard for standard practices.

This is yet further proof that President Obama’s ongoing environmental regulatory takeover is based on agenda-driven political science. Sound science, accountability and sound judgment should always be the standard by which our decisions are made; after all, American jobs are on the line.

To read the inspector general’s report, go here.

EPA Needs to Study Sound Science

Today in Houston, I had the opportunity to testify before a congressional subcommittee on energy and power. My message was simple: EPA greenhouse gas regulations will cripple the $100 billion Texas agriculture industry, hinder our economy and drive up everyday costs for consumers.

The problem with the EPA’s proposed regulations is the basis on which they are formed. Simply put, political science is no match for sound science. Until a proven, positive outcome can justify costly disruptions to ag operations and household budgets, we should resist the rhetoric and question the EPA’s motives. In addition to addressing these concerns today to the congressional subcommittee, I also documented these issues in a letter to the chairman of this group.

Our farmers and ranchers are all ears when it comes to protecting the environment. After all, they depend on the earth for their livelihoods. I’d also venture to guess most consumers are in favor of preserving our resources for future generations. No one is arguing the value of good intentions, but until the price tag makes sense to farmers, ranchers and consumers, the EPA should be sent back to the drawing board.

To read my full testimony, go here.

Help On The Way?

Over the past couple years, Texas has been battling the EPA over its policies that seem to be based more on political science and less on sound science. All of you who have been helping fight this battle should be comforted to know that more help is on the way.

I just read in a recent Agri-Pulse Newsletter the following:

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Commerce Committee, lists “suspending EPA’s greenhouse gas regulations” as one of his top priorities. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) plans to introduce similar legislation. The Rockefeller bill is mirrored in the House by H.R.199, introduced last week by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). Congressman Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, is cosponsoring legislation to withdraw EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases.

Those who support the EPA’s far-reaching methods have tried to paint our opposition as partisan positioning. It is refreshing to see such a bi-partisan group taking steps toward common ground. With the recent changes in the congressional make-up, I am more hopeful than ever our country can get back to a science-based approach to protecting our air and growing our jobs.