Perry Wants More Money To Improve Air Quality
File this under “Gubernatorial Irony:”
Gov. Rick Perry said Monday that he would seek $183 million in new funding to improve air quality in polluted areas of the state.
I find that very interesting, given that Governor Perry is the one authorized the fast-tracking of permits for more pollution-belching coal power plants. Perhaps he is just being proactive about cleaning up the mess he’s created for future generations.
If approved by the Legislature, the money will represent a 71 percent increase over the most recent biennium amount for the Texas Emission Reduction Plan, which provides grants to help businesses retrofit diesel engines and make other emission reductions. Funding would increase from $257 million to $440 million.
And, of course, taxes can’t be raised! So, let’s create more fees:
Revenue for the program is generated primarily through vehicle title transfer fees and surcharges on the purchase and lease of heavy equipment.
Now, I need to warn you: don’t be eating or drinking when you read the next line, because you will spew whatever it is all over your computer monitor:
“We have made great progress in cleaning up Texas air,” Perry said in a statement announcing the budget initiative.
What? What! What? How does he call it progress when we are adding more polluting coal plants to Texas? Isn’t that the opposite of real progress? Did the Legislature pass a resolution declaring Monday “Opposite Day” or something?
Of course, the fact that this all drips with more irony than a stack of IHOP pancakes drips with syurp isn’t lost on the MSM:
The increase in funding comes as lawmakers gear up for a battle over TXU Corp.’s plan to build up to 11 coal-fired plants in Texas. Cities including Houston and Dallas, environmental groups and some Dallas businesses are opposing the plants.
“More money for TERP is a key step towards clearing the air, and we thank the governor for his support,” said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas. “Unfortunately, in the context of the governor’s push for more dirty coal plants, it’s one step forward and two steps backwards.”
Oh! If you aren’t rolling on the floor clutching your sides and laughing like the men in white coats will be at your door any minute, you simply aren’t human.
This will also get you:
Perry said he also supports $20 million to fund clean coal technology. The money would be included in a budget rider to be used for infrastructure if the Energy Department chooses a Texas site for a near-zero-emission coal power plant.
Ahhhhhhgggghhhh! This is entertaining. Who will get that $20 million? Why, TXU, who wants to build the smoke-belching power plants! We’re going to subsidize them to do what they should have done all along? This is too much.
Written by Vince Leibowitz
If you like what you read here, please consider giving us a tip through Blog Patron or PayPal!
Visit Capitol Annex's Online Book Store!
If you liked that post, then try these...
by Vince Leibowitz on February 5th, 2008
Support Paul Moreno, The Consience Of The Texas House by Vince Leibowitz on February 4th, 2008
KIRK WATSON: Are You A MOTO? If Not, You Should Be by Vince Leibowitz on January 24th, 2008
The Swift Boating of Juan Garcia: Give To The Texas Trio Today by Vince Leibowitz on August 14th, 2006
Support The Texas Trio: Gilbert, Garcia & Sklar by Vince Leibowitz on August 7th, 2006
Popularity: 3% [?]
