EDITORIAL: Global action, not just by US, needed for air quality reforms
The acrid and smoky air across Central Texas last week caused by wildfires throughout our state reminds us of the necessary importance of air quality standards.
But thoughtful Central Texans also must realize that the economic condition of our country makes this hardly the right time to inflict even stricter clean air regulations. And so we praise the Obama administration for backing off its plans to press for tougher standards.
The president rejected a proposed rule from the Environmental Protection Agency that would have significantly reduced emissions of smog-causing chemicals, saying it would impose too severe a burden on industry and local governments. Indeed, if a new smog standard had been enacted, Greater Waco most certainly would have faced corrective and costly measures for violating it.
The fragility of our economy is on everyone’s minds. Rumors are rampant about whether a second recession has already begun. We don’t need to further spook industry, commerce and citizenry into thinking they’ll face emissions testing, industrial pollution restrictions and the steep costs to accommodate tough new standards. That, in turn, could hurt employment and consumerism.
We don’t deny serious concerns about air quality. The time may well come for tighter air regulations. But this is definitely not the time, especially when so many of our competitors in the world — notably China — are not as stringent as we already are in terms of demanding clean air.
In border cities like El Paso, air quality is dismal due to winds from the south blowing in from Mexico all sorts of material offensive to respiratory systems. Why should we then be held to a higher standard? Until the world acts on this issue and levels the playing field, the burden cannot be ours alone.
A new air policy may be appropriate someday. But right now we need to set our economy straight and get people back to work. That will get people breathing lots easier.
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