Commissioner Rebuts Climate Catastrophists’ Call for Regulation

A coalition described as climate catastrophists, led by Environment Texas, has sent a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott demanding immediate action to reduce emissions and combat what they claim is man-made climate change. In response, Railroad Commission of Texas commissioner Wayne Christian penned his own letter to the governor applauding him for his work on energy and environmental issues and the key role it has played in ensuring American energy dominance.

“Last year, it was announced that the United States lowered its carbon emissions more than any country in the world for the ninth time in 18 years,” Christian said. “These reductions coincide directly with the Texas shale boom and are because of our increased production and use of natural gas—not punitive government policies such as carbon taxes or emission reduction mandates.”

He added that for the first time in decades, the U.S. has surpassed both Saudi Arabia and Russia as the top producer of oil and gas in the world. “This is no accident. It is the direct result of deliberate policy decisions made by leaders like Gov. Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump,” Christian asserted. “Energy security is national security, and our country is safer today because of our consistent, predictable regulatory environment.”

For its part, Environment Texas maintains “it’s time for Gov. Abbott to put politics aside, face the facts, and get to work fighting climate change.” The 100%-renewable-energy advocacy group quotes Ian Dalziel, a professor at the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas-Austin, as saying “global temperatures are measurably rising, climate and sea-level change are observably happening, and it is clear that humans are primarily responsible. Without prompt action to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, Texas and Texans will undoubtedly suffer significantly in several respects.”

(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, February 11, 2019)