Texas Gov. Rick Perry says the state should not be threatened with a takeover of its air quality program but instead be lauded as the poster child for regulating pollution.
At a news conference Wednesday in a Houston suburb, Perry said the federal government should stop what he called a "power grab" by the Environmental Protection Agency. Last week, the EPA's regional director threatened to remove Texas' regulatory authority by midsummer if the state fails to comply with the Clean Air Act.
The state and EPA disagree over the way Texas issues emissions permits.
Standing inside a warehouse that makes fluid sealing products for the petrochemical industry, Perry said the Texas program for permitting pollutants from petrochemical plants has helped improve air quality.
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