Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) commissioner David Porter Feb. 5 testified before Congress on what he termed is the “egregious overreach” of the federal government, specifically the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing titled “Examining the Science of EPA Overreach: A Case Study in Texas.”
The purpose of the hearing was to focus on the scientific justification and cumulative impacts of regulations, policies, and practices promulgated by EPA and their effects on state sovereignty. “I am grateful to the committee for holding this hearing to discuss this important topic, as EPA continues to encroach on the regulatory jurisdiction of individual states,” Porter said.
“Since taking office, it has been one of my biggest goals to keep the feds at bay and to retain state primacy of regulation, especially of the oil and gas industry, which is the biggest economic driver in Texas. If the EPA were to gain control of energy regulation, it would cripple the industry and devastate our economy. We in Texas know best how to achieve a balance of economic vitality and environmental safety, as we responsibly and proudly reign as the top producer in the country.”
The purpose of the hearing was to focus on the scientific justification and cumulative impacts of regulations, policies, and practices promulgated by EPA and their effects on state sovereignty. “I am grateful to the committee for holding this hearing to discuss this important topic, as EPA continues to encroach on the regulatory jurisdiction of individual states,” Porter said.
“Since taking office, it has been one of my biggest goals to keep the feds at bay and to retain state primacy of regulation, especially of the oil and gas industry, which is the biggest economic driver in Texas. If the EPA were to gain control of energy regulation, it would cripple the industry and devastate our economy. We in Texas know best how to achieve a balance of economic vitality and environmental safety, as we responsibly and proudly reign as the top producer in the country.”
