"Clean house—then clean the air "

Last week's announcement by the EPA on tougher air quality standards for smog reveals values of very different state leaders who protect very different interests. In New Mexico, Bill Richardson heads a government of, by and for people. For New Mexico, and Richardson, EPA’s standards were too low. 

In Texas, Rick Perry, whose campaign backers include Harold Simmons (nuclear waste) and ASARCO (whose $11 billion bankruptcy is costliest shifting of pollution costs to taxpayers in US history), heads a government of by and for, what else—polluters. 

Here’s what New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry said about the EPA’s actions: 

“This unfortunate decision once again shows that the Bush Administration values politics above people's health. The EPA's own scientific experts were recommending a standard as low as 60 parts per billion for ozone. Bowing to industry pressure and going with a higher 75 ppb standard will potentially mean thousands more heart attacks, hospital visits and asthma attacks for Americans annually — especially for children."

And here's what Rick Perry had to say: 

"The EPA's decision to change ozone air quality attainment standards has Texas and other states chasing a moving target at the expense of taxpayers and our economy. 

"These new standards are particularly onerous on Texas and punish the state because it includes one of the most comprehensively controlled industrial complexes in the world."

•   Air Pollution Emissions -- 1st

•   Pollution Released by Manufacturing Plants -- 1st

•   Amount of Green House Gases Released -- 1st

•   Amount of Toxic Chemicals Released into Water -- 1st

•   Amount of Toxic Chemicals Released into Air -- 4th

•   Amount of Recognized Cancer-Causing Carcinogens Released into Air -- 1st

•   Amount of Recognized Cancer-Causing Carcinogens Released into Water -- 7th

•   Number of Clean Water Permit Violations -- 1st

•   Number of Environmental and Civil Rights Complaints -- 1st

•   Number of Hazardous Waste Spills -- 2nd

•   Amount of Hazardous Waste Generated -- 1st

•   Number of Hazardous Waste Sites on National Priority List -- 9th

•   Amount of Carbon Dioxide Emissions -- 1st

•   Consumption of Energy Per Capita -- 5th

•   Consumption of Electricity Per Customer -- 10th

•   Drinking Water Quality -- 38th

Thankfully, Texans are fighting back. From Houston to Dallas, Austin to El Paso, local government has taken air quality into their own hands.  In 2006, Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and Houston Mayor Bill White launched the "Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition," a coalition of 17 Texas cities committed to clean air.   

And of course, in El Paso, Mayor John Cook and City Council have appealed the unconscionable decision of TCEQ to grant ASARCO the right to pollute El Paso’s air with 15 million pounds of contaminants each year. 

Just last week, I asked the EPA to tell us if we can join New Mexico on air quality regulation.  Every day, air quality becomes more important to Texans and their families.  

In November, maybe Texans will clean house—then clean the air.

Eliot Shapleigh