dubyaMD bush gasses Texas:
Air: In 1999, Texas had the 25 most severe clean air health standards violations in the nation, according Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission and Environmental Protection Agency data. The highest reading was more than double the allowable health standard.
In 1999, Houston had more days in violation of health standards than Los Angeles for the first time ever. There were at least 50 days of violations in Houston, and 44 days in Los Angeles this year.
Toxics: Under the Community Right to Know Act, major polluting facilities are required to report to the EPA their emission of carcinogenic and toxic chemicals into the air, water, and land. In 1997, there were 261.7 million pounds of toxic chemicals released in Texas -- significantly more than runner up Louisiana. This Texas figure included 108.4 million pounds of toxics discharged into the air, which is also the highest in the nation.
And in the four years George W. Bush has been governor, the number of smog alert days increased dramatically
(CG: "Texas . . . had more smog alerts than any other state in 1999." Dallas Morning News 11-14-99)
In 1994, the last year before Bush became governor, there were 40 one-hour days of exceedences (violations) of the ozone standard in Houston-Galveston. From 1995 through October 1, 1999, Houston averaged 44 one-hour days of exceedences annually. In 1999, Houston at least 50 one-hour days of exceedences. In Dallas-Ft. Worth, there was also a big jump in ozone exceedences, from 17 days in 1992-94 to 27 days in 1997-99.
In addition, Austin and San Antonio suffered so many health standard violations over the past three years that EPA is expected to add them to its list of nonattainment areas in 2000.
Gov. Bush opposed concrete, comprehensive, binding reductions in emissions from power plants, chemical and oil facilities, and other industrial sources. He also canceled a planned auto inspection and maintenance program that would have significantly reduced motor vehicle emissions. His administration also filed an inadequate state plan to address Texas's air pollution problems.
Jan 2002
For the second year in a row Texas has exceeded California in violations of the Clean Air standards for ozone, and now has the distinction of having the most polluted city in the country (Houston) |
