Thanks for caring, Guv!

Governor Rick Perry has given us more of the same with the Orwellian-named Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). His appointee to chair the 3-person board is H.S. Buddy Garcia, already a member of the board which has set new standards for friendliness to industry. From the Morning News:

Mr. Garcia voted with Ms. [Kathleen Hartnett] White on two key issues this summer – the approval of the state's North Texas smog strategy and a permit for TXU's Oak Grove power plant, a two-unit, coal-burning plant in Robertson County.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has threatened to reject the North Texas smog plan unless the state strengthens it. State and federal officials are discussing potential changes to the plan.

There is still one seat vacant on the Commission. Let’s hope that Governor Perry balances this agency to focus on improving Texas’ air with his next appointment. I’m not holding my breath.