Take a Deep Breath...For Now
In a spot of news that has us very happy, albeit temporarily, Texas State District Judge Stephen Yelenosky ruled that Governor Rick Perry does not have authority under the Texas Constitution to issue an executive order to 'fast-track' the permit process to build dirty-coal power plants, granting a major, if not temporary, victory to environmental activists and others concerned with the Governor's egregious abuse of executive powers, which more and more are seemingly related to campaign contributions and personal ties.
If you're not too familiar with the situation, activists have charged that Perry's 'fast-track' order was specifically designed to give the dirty-coal plants approval before the federal government sets mandatory standards restricting the CO2 emissions of such plants, a likely scenario under the new Democrat-controlled chambers. Judge Yelenosky's order effectively postpones the expedited hearings Perry's executive order had rush-granted, which, for the time being, creates a delay by allowing sufficient time for interested parties to fully present arguments against the dirty and inefficient coal plants which TXU and Perry have in mind: "[Such groups] have established that they will be irreparably harmed," if the executive fast-track order is not stopped, "because they will be forever deprived of a meaningful opportunity to be heard."
There are many detriments to these dirty-coal plants being built in Texas (or anywhere), and we have been vocal opponents of their being built, having sent e-mails, made calls, written op-ed pieces against the whole situation, and also having contributed money to the Environmental Defense Fund, one of the groups which originated the lawsuit that pressed the issue on which Judge Yelenosky has now ruled. We know the fight is not over, but at least for now, we are quite thrilled with this unlikely turn. It's rare, but so good, to see that Texas has not yet completely fallen to the Hummer-driving, planet-destroying Neo-cons like Rick Perry and his ilk.
Comments
While I am glad that you'll be breathing a bit cleaner air for awhile, I am wondering: When did this become a political blog? We all want to see more pictures of Noah, dammit! ; )
Posted by: sarah | February 21, 2007 10:46 AM
...heh-heh...We're just really excited about this one. It's a pretty big deal to us. Particularly with the respiratory problems we have. The transport of the coal alone to the planned plants--minus any burning once it reaches the plants--that alone was/is going to be enough to push Tarrant County out of the EPA's current air-quality standards that a city must meet to continue receiving federal dollars for things like highways, etc. One of the things the air-quality standards do try to protect against rampant bronchitis and asthma, which are issues for us already.
...and as much as I've had to listen my whole life to derrogatory comments about 'the stupid EPA' or those 'environmentalist wackos,' I'm going to take a minute to bask in a small victory...
...but yeah, we're going to get back to the Bubby and other stuff.
...he says to the girl who isn't exactly posting every day herself...
=^)
Posted by: jonjon | February 21, 2007 10:59 AM
What is a "Neo-con"?
Posted by: mommi b | February 21, 2007 11:39 AM
Ah, yes, I googled it. "Neoconservative." I guess I need to get the paper or hook up my TV.
Posted by: mommi b | February 21, 2007 11:43 AM
Nah, you're good...I mean, you've got Google--you're set!
Posted by: jonjon | February 21, 2007 11:49 AM