Governing Principle
Texas is a national leader in reducing emissions and known pollutants, and advancing renewable energy sources all while remaining a leader in the nation's energy production. We have successfully balanced the need for environmental improvements with fostering economic growth, new investment, and job creation. Texas continues to advance new, clean energy technology by using market incentives and stable regulation, not costly mandates and taxes.
The Obama administration has taken yet another step in its campaign to harm our economy and impose federal control over Texas. With their efforts to take control of a permitting process that the Clean Air Act allows to be delegated to the states, the EPA is on the verge of killing thousands of Texas jobs and derailing a program that has effectively cleaned Texas' air. An increasingly activist EPA is ignoring the progress Texas has made to clean its air over the last decade, and should instead look to our state's successful approach to issues concerning energy and the environment.
Action Items
» The air Texans breathe today is cleaner than it was in 2000, even though our population has grown by nearly 3.5 million people.» Between 2000 and 2008, while Texas NOx levels decreased by 46% and ozone levels by 22%, national NOx levels fell by only 27%, and national ozone levels declined by only 8%. In comparison, ozone levels in Illinois have only fallen by 12% since 1999.
» All major Texas metropolitan areas currently meet the 1997 federal eight-hour ozone standard, with the exception of the DFW area, which is within 1 part per billion of meeting the standard. Preliminary data indicates that Houston met the standard for the first time in 2009.
» In a comparison with 20 eastern and southern states that are most comparable to Texas because the location of industrial facilities and natural ozone levels, Texas is second only to Georgia (25%) in the largest decrease in ozone levels from 2000 to 2008.
» Despite being the nation's energy capital, Texas has the eleventh lowest NOx emissions rate for power plants among all states according to EPA data.
» According to Department of Energy and EPA data, since 2000, Texas' CO2 emissions from fossil fuel usage have actually fallen by more than almost any other state and every country except Germany as a result of our policies to foster renewable energy, make the electricity market more competitive and efficient, and improve our environment.
Related Content
Governor Rick Perry's Letter to President Obama
May 28, 2010
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Texas Takes Legal Action Against Federal Government over EPA CO2 Mandates
Chairman, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
News & Announcements
- Friday, December 30, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Court Order to Stay Cross State Air Pollution Rule
Gov. Rick Perry today issued the following statement regarding the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to grant Texas' request for a stay to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) - Thursday, October 06, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Changes to CSAPR Rule
Gov. Rick Perry today issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announced changes to the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). - Monday, September 12, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Announced Job Losses Due to EPA Rule
The Obama Administration continues to put up road blocks for our nation's job creators by imposing burdensome regulations based on assumptions, not facts, that will result in job losses and increased energy costs with no definite environmental benefit. - Gov. Perry - Friday, August 05, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
Gov. Rick Perry Urges Texans to Conserve Energy as High Temperatures Persist
Because of the extreme heat that has created an unprecedented demand on the state's energy grid, and with no relief in sight, all Texas residents and businesses are being asked to conserve electricity. We are thankful to all state agencies, businesses and residents who have taken steps to reduce the demand on our energy grid during these extreme weather conditions. Our supply is strong, but not unlimited, and I urge everyone to continue conserving energy over the weekend and next week, especially during the peak hours of 3 to 7 p.m., to help minimize the risk of outages. - Governor Perry - Friday, July 15, 2011 • Denton, Texas • Press Release
Gov. Perry: Texas Continues to Lead the Nation in Energy Production
Gov. Rick Perry ceremonially signed House Bill 3328 and Senate Bills 20 and 527, which will increase transparency in energy production and enable Texas to remain the nation's energy leader. The governor was joined by Reps. Jim Keffer, Tan Parker and others for the signing ceremony. - Thursday, July 07, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on New EPA Emissions Regulations
Today's EPA announcement is another example of heavy-handed and misguided action from Washington, D.C., that threatens Texas jobs and families and puts at risk the reliable and affordable electricity our state needs to succeed. From the attack on Texas' successful clean air program, to threatening endangered species listings in West Texas oil fields, to banning offshore energy exploration, the Obama Administration seems intent on increasing energy costs for American consumers and making us even more dependent on foreign energy. - Saturday, June 11, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation
Gov. Perry Re-Issues Disaster Proclamation for Threat of Extreme Wildfires
Gov. Perry renews his declaration for the sixth time since it was originally issued on Dec. 21, 2010, that extreme fire hazard continues to create a threat of imminent disaster for the people in the State of Texas. - Tuesday, May 03, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
Gov. Perry: FEMA Denies Presidential Disaster Declaration for Wildfires
Gov. Rick Perry today criticized the Obama Administration for its denial late Tuesday of the state’s April 16th request for a federal Major Disaster Declaration to assist with the ongoing wildfire season, which has burned more than 2.2 million acres, an area roughly greater than Rhode Island and Delaware combined. Since the wildfire season began in November 2010, Texas has responded to more than 9,000 fires across the state that have destroyed or damaged more than 400 homes. - Wednesday, April 20, 2011 • Dallas, Texas • Speech
Gov. Rick Perry's Remarks to U.S. Trust Luncheon
Gov. Rick Perry spoke at a luncheon hosted by U.S. Trust honoring Texas-based, socially innovative companies. - Friday, April 08, 2011 • Arlington, Texas • Press Release
Gov. Perry: Innovators Need Freedom to Solve Our Energy Challenges
Gov. Rick Perry today applauded Texas' successful approach to diversifying its energy portfolio and cleaning its air, a stark contrast to Washington's burdensome mandates and one-size-fits-all policies that stifle economic growth and innovation. The governor spoke at a press conference unveiling NRG Energy Inc.'s Freedom StationsSM, a network of eVgo electric vehicle recharging stations in the Dallas/Ft. Worth and Houston areas that will enable more widespread use of electric cars across the state. - Page 1 of 17 pages 1 2 3 4 Next » Last