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EPA Takes 33% of US Refining Capacity Offline

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Published: 7/3/2010 Print This Article
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EPA Takes 33% of US Refining Capacity Offline

By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI - Reprinted from Yahoo! News

HOUSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday officially overturned a 16-year-old Texas air permitting program it says violates the Clean Air Act, leaving some of the country's largest refineries in a state of limbo.

The move comes after years of backdoor bickering, negotiations and public arguments between the EPA and Texas. The argument recently escalated from a battle over environmental issues into a heated political dispute over states' rights.

Gov. Rick Perry has been using it to drive home his contention that President Barack Obama's administration is overreaching, saying in a statement Wednesday that "Texas will continue to fight this federal takeover of a successful state program."

The EPA's decision, announced in a statement, will force some 125 refineries and petrochemical plants to invest millions of dollars to get new permits. Many of the plants may also have to invest in updates to comply with federal regulations.

The decision did not come as a surprise to Texas or the industries. EPA regional director Al Armendariz has said for months he would disapprove the permits if Texas did not comply with the Clean Air Act.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's chairman Bryan Shaw insisted Wednesday the state's permitting program complies with the Clean Air Act and has improved air quality in Texas. However, in an effort to satisfy the EPA's concerns, Shaw said the commission recently changed the rules but apparently the EPA "did not take them into consideration."

Texas can challenge the ruling in court, but a commission spokesman said it hasn't decided whether to go that route.

Armendariz said the proposed rules were in the first stage of a lengthy approval process that could take months or even years.

"I can't wait to take action on these permits. I've got to act soon because these permits are seriously flawed," Armendariz told The Associated Press.

The EPA's move on Wednesday addresses Texas' so-called flexible permits, which set a general limit on how much air pollutants an entire facility can release. The federal Clean Air Act requires state-issued permits to set limits on each of the dozens of individual production units inside a plant. The EPA says Texas' system masks pollution and makes it impossible to regulate emissions and protect public health.

Texas has been issuing the permits since 1994... read the balance of the article HERE

 

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to be honest if money were put into renewable engery means we wouldnt have this problem. this is 2010 why are we using 1900 ways?
By: robowobo From: Illinois On: 7/20/2010

whatever you do dont drink the koolaide
By: robowobo From: Illinois On: 7/20/2010

A "surplus of cash" is when there is no national debt and that has not happened but once in the nation's lifetime and not under Clinton. I agree that neither party has the best interests of the U.S. Citizen in mind.
By: Ken From: Texas On: 7/6/2010

I'm somewhat disheartened by the name calling; "morons" and "wackos"...I see no valid arguments or points in such posts...only weakness and frustration over the grassroots groundswell that is the Tea Party.
By: peter B  From: Maryland On: 7/5/2010

Whoe Joe, Let's get a few things straight. You do make some solid points about Obama's inherited mess however he did nothing but exacerbate the trend - most new administrations enter the arena during trying times; does that give them an excuse to continue the (spending, warring) insanity? It's sort of like the abused child's lifelong excuse and accountability avoidance. With regard to Clinton's 23M jobs and surplus; let's not forget that the MAIN DRIVER to that "surplus" was huge tax revenue base - the result of a tech booming economy (remember, companies invest when not overtaxed, hire people, make money that feeds the tax machine and unemployment wanes - everyone wins). Clinton was solid in his own right, but claiming he drove those good economic times is a fallacy; that was simply another popped bubble similar to that of real estate and the subprime debacle. Progressives are our only "hope" to fail...they stand in the way of restoration.
By: peter B From: Maryland On: 7/5/2010

Dennis T.'s post is unacceptable and should never have been published on this or anyother site. I doubt very much that he is anything even remotely resembling a TEA Party member. I have been part of the TEA Party movement since it started and I know of no group within the movement that tolerates "Race Bating" at all. Most have a zero tolerance for such language.
By: W.H. Dent From: Alabama On: 7/5/2010

Refreshing to see so many patriots reacting and disconcerting to see our government in the hands of out right Marxists, Socialist, Communists. The media is complicit in this covert take over of this nation. No other creature on earth has been so subtle other then Satan himself as Obama has been. We are in a revolution and few realize it.
By: D. Victor From: California On: 7/4/2010

What I see omitted was a consistent effort at deregulation of big finance starting with the first Bush administration. Same for oil companies who were allowed to "slide" on almost everything to save money, directly leading to a possible death sentence for the Gulf of Mexico and thousands of fishermen and tourist establishments, not to mention the ecological cost for future generations. Let's not forget that under Clinton over 23 million new jobs were created and he left Bush with a record surplus of cash. Bush, in comparison created a mere 6 million jobs and left Obama a record deficit and two wars and a mangled MMS to watch over oil drilling. It is very easy to cast all the blame on someone who walked into a mess then can't help tracking mud on the floor. Things had already fell apart before Obama took office. Blaming him because lesser minds think a massive mess such as we are in can be "fixed" in one year is short sighted...expecially when industry bought and paid for Republicans do nothing but block anything and everything in hopes they will somehow retake the positions they used to trash things in the first place. We really can't trust anyone in Congress regardless of their party. Corporate influence has robbed citizens of any reasonable voice. But anyone who believes any conservative government will lift a finger to halt the flood of corporate money used to influence Congress is mistaken. For that, progressives are the only hope, even if we don't always agree with them on everything. Fact is, conservative politicians only use us to further their own power agenda with big business...we are fools to support them as they will not represent the average American's best interest in DC or state legislatures.
By: Joe the Voter From: Florida On: 7/4/2010

For the dude who said This story is BS, Try reading the article at this site (You Might have heard of it) http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFN3023947320100630
By: Curt From: Florida On: 7/4/2010

@EastIdaho.. "Do you even police your posts?" Listen to yourself. People have the right to say what they think, even if you don't agree with it and even if it is misinformed.
By: Matt From: Arizona On: 7/4/2010

This used to be an interesting informative site. Unfortunately it's been taken over by the "moron" wing of the Tea Party, which is growing day by day. Too bad this movement couldn't get its legs under it before the wackos took the lead. Do you even police your posts? Allowing posts like Dennis T discredits your entire website. Get a clue, get off your asses, and take your site back from the wackos! Later
By: EastIdaho From: Idaho On: 7/4/2010

The headline for the article here on New Patriot Journal is misleading. The original Yahoo article specifically states that the plants will NOT be taken offline during the re-permitting process.
By: jbt From: Maryland On: 7/4/2010

The reality of the economic matter is that both parties simply do not care about you. If you think the economic problems are caused by one party, you are a fool, plain in simply. You are biased by default and have no clue whatsoever about what is going on. The federal government grew by leaps and bounds under Bush, so if you're a Bush supporter and think that medicare expansion and big brother surveillance is somehow Republican or even American, you are thick headed. As far as Obama, he is simply continuing the corporatist, government welfare for the wealthy while maintaining the NAFTA job losses that was initiated by Clinton and continued by Bush. There is simply no difference save superficial trivialities and if you don't take your stubborn head out of this partisan sand you are part of the problem and an enemy of progress.
By: Giovanni From: Arizona On: 7/4/2010

Lots of comments talk about Americans are going to go to polls and remove the idiots in DC. But have you watched Hannity's street walker lately. Half of the people on the street near the studio had no idea who we rebelled against 234 years ago. And these people vote.
By: Born Out of Season From: Texas On: 7/4/2010

Didn't you catch the message after Obama won the election? He said they were getting ready to govern. No, that isn't what he said, is it. He said "We are getting ready to rule" That says it all. Check out some interesting information on Obama and the Democrat party at: www.can-you-hear-us-now.com. The media did an excellent job of hiding his past. This gives you a good start in uncovering it, as well as the book it comes from.
By: DesertCactus From: California On: 7/4/2010

Who controlled Congress for the last two years of the Bush admin.? Who has controlled Congress for the last year and one-half? Open your eyes, Harley. With Dem control we've slid into this economic mess; no end in sight. Ms. Pelosi counting on unemployment wages to boost the economy? Damn, is she stupid! Under 0bamao/Dem's watch the UN has calls to dump U.S. dollar, jobless claims rise, CBO long-term budget outlook = DIRE, Home sales plunge record 30%, Homeless/Tent Cities on the rise, 7.9 million jobs lost possibly forever. These are headlines of just yesterday and today! ... and don't forget what started this economic crisis -- your Dem friends @ Freddie, Fannie and ACORN handing out money to people who couldn't begin to pay a mortgage, along with the lining pockets of Frank, Dodd .... You really need check your facts, Harley. You may be good at vocabulary and spelling, but that seems to be about it.
By: surveysays1234 From: Arizona On: 7/3/2010

It's exacerbate, not exasperate, Frank Fielder from Texas...When did the recession start? If you had a brain, you'd know that it started 4 months before December 2007. Who was president then, Frank? How long had he been president prior to that? What president fought for TARP, Frank? It was GWBush, goofy! Have you any idea how many wells in the Deep Gulf were in progress when Obama took office? Hundreds, Frank! It is dumb goof like you who make the Tea Partiers look like a bunch of raving idiots...and you are who most of the Tea Partiers are!
By: harley From: Texas On: 7/3/2010

Most of you dumb sons of bitches don't realize that most of the Texas refineries will be permitted....There are a few which will not be permitted or will be allowed to work under temporary permits until they make tangible progress toward compliance, They have had the profits and the capability of cleaning their acts up for years and have refused to even live up to the laws signed by GHWBush, a Republican...Damn, some of you people..most of you must have the last stage of VD of the brain...This goes double for you, Dennis of NY...you racist scum!! Obama didn't make the loaw, gooftus..He is merely charged to enforce them...
By: harley From: Texas On: 7/3/2010

His (Obama) agenda is to destroy this nation from within and the puppets follow..........
By: RGD From: Virginia On: 7/3/2010

This whole administration has become an OBAMANATION!! Will it ever end???
By: RGD From: Virginia On: 7/3/2010

You know, these morons should have to live in the crap world they are trying to create. Let see the Obama administation fly AirForce One with out that "awful fossil fuel". Or drive a Horse & Buggy.Let every member of the EPA try to get by without using anything made of petrolium (no bottled water, shampoo,make-up or deodorant) They would be easy to spot.If you voted for our current President I have one question,What the h....heck were you thinking?
By: Troy T From: Florida On: 7/3/2010

I want gas prices to spike before the elections this November. Remember that's what the Dumocraps Pelosi and Reid RAN on to get their power. Anything that helps to throw them under the bus and run over their heads is OK with me....
By: Harry E From: New Jersey On: 7/3/2010

Obama is a stupid nigger.
By: Dennis T From: New York On: 7/3/2010

Wait until the EPA begins regulating CO2.
By: ironhorzmn From: Florida On: 7/3/2010

Ok you win, Obama. Let's just shut EVERYTHING DOWN that pollutes. Close all refineries. Stop unloading ships. Close the gas stations. We'll wait .... for your ACORN bunch to go build wind mills and flower power. NOT. This move is one more dominoe in his plan to bring this country to its knees. He's setting us up for a war, one we may not be ready to fight, because as soon as we falter and show a sign of weakness there are at least three rogues out there that will make a move. NOVEMBER CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.
By: Larry From: North Carolina On: 7/3/2010

Did the comment by Frank really put Sarah Palin in the same 'qualified for president' category as Hillary Clinton & John McCain?? Amazing.
By: David From: Arizona On: 7/3/2010

Just another nail in the coffin of state rights and in the union as a whole. It's bad enough to know that this president will be reelected. Clinton was as bad and he slid in easily for a second 4 years.
By: David From: Texas On: 7/3/2010

The Obama administration continues to blame Bush for every problem our country has from the wars, to the economic crisis, to the oil spill in the Gulf. He and his adminstration take no responsibility or ownership of any of the problems they continue to exasperate. The economy continues in its downward spiral while Obama and his thugs think they can fool us by proclaiming "Happy Days Are Here Again!" And with the EPA on his hip he will continue to demonize big oil and the use of fosil fuels as he adds another level of destruction to our economy. Is this man (Obama) really this STUPID!?!?! I have raised the question; Who is the "Manchurian" backing this "Manchurian Candidate"? Obama came out of nowhere to beat a host of vastly more qualified candidates including Hillary, McCain, & Palin ... this just doesn't happen. Who is backing and propping up this FOOL?!?!
By: Frank Reister From: Texas On: 7/3/2010

The EPA should be put out of business, since they are Anti-business. If Bozobama keeps messin with Texas, then Texas will seceed.
By: RonM From: Kansas On: 7/3/2010

again Obama is taking control by the time his four years are up he will be the King
By: Sandee From: Florida On: 7/3/2010

Once again an inept government led by an illegal alien, correct that, there are no leadership skills being employed at the moment. Once again an inept government agency, with no guidance and no accountability to the people, has overstepped it's Constitutional bounds. Apparently the "We can!" of the foreigners campaign meant only "We can destroy America in my first four years!"
By: Ken From: Florida On: 7/3/2010

The EPA is the "new and improved" Nazi regime. Kinda like the Obamunist Administration.
By: Tim Lyons From: Illinois On: 7/3/2010