APNewsBreak: Perry urges Obama to halt air rules

AP/WorldMag ^ | Sep 26, 9:31 PM EDT | APRIL CASTRO

[quantim]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Monday asked President Barack Obama to use his executive authority to prevent or delay implementation of stricter pollution standards, saying they will have an "immediate and devastating" effect on the state.

The standards have stirred up Texas' largest energy companies, which say they don't have adequate time to meet the deadlines without shutting down plants and jeopardizing the reliability of Texas' electric grid. Implementation of the rules starts Jan. 1.

In the letter, obtained by The Associated Press, Perry said the implementation of the Cross State Air Pollution Rules will have an "immediate and devastating effect on Texas jobs, our economy and our ability to supply the electricity our citizens, schools and employers need."

Perry released the letter as he tries to shore up support among conservatives in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

The White House said the new standards will save lives.

"We stand behind common sense, vital Clean Air Act protections for public health and clean air," White House spokesman Clark Stevens said. "This rule will prevent over 34,000 premature deaths each year and ensure that American families aren't suffering the consequences of harmful air pollution generated far from home."

[9YearLurker]

But, but, but Perry said he would always do anything to protect lives.

[normy]

I caught that too, would that be anything like “jobs created or saved”?

[Georgia Girl 2]

The governors of the states need to start telling the EPA to pack sand.

[CharlesWayneCT]

I cannot find such a reference by Perry anywhere -- maybe you have one? What I can find is many references like this one:

Rick Perry Defends legislating by...:

But Perry added in a comment to Rep. Paul that had no principled objection to using executive orders to legislate, citing as an example the Obama healthcare law passed by Congress. "Let me address Ron Paul just a minute by saying I will use an executive order to get rid of as much of Obamacare as I can on day one."

In the article, Ron Paul promises to "never use an EO to legislate", but did say he'd use EOs for legitimate presidential functions.

I would note that the "EO to legislate" was the author of the article, not Perry -- I think since Obamacare legislation allows the executive to execute most of the law, that it would not be "legislating" to use EOs to grant waivers, or to rule that it is unconstitutional and won't be enforced until the courts rule.

If so, it may be that he said he wouldn't use an EO to legislate, but I can't actually find any place where he said that either, so that would be speculation on my part.