Clean air is expensive!

According to an article posted by the Austin American Statesman, the federal Environmental Protection Agency is going to make an announcement on Wednesday that new clean air standards are going to be set in place. Clean air standards are meant to lower Ozone, which can cause breathing problems especially in the elderly, children, and asthmatics.

Last year, by court settlement, environmental groups proposed to the EPA that standards be lowered to 70 - 75 parts per billion, the current is 85. Austin's high levels are between 80 and 84 parts per billion which means they are meeting current standards but will have to possibly make changes to meet the new required levels. This means tougher emissions testing on vehicles and businesses, lowering the speed limits by 5 mph, and selling reformulated gasoline that gets 1-3 percent fewer miles per gallon and costs a nickle more per gallon.

Cities that fail to prove to the EPA that they are attempting to cut emissions will lose federal money for highway projects and business could face strict permitting procedures. Austin-area officials, who have worked for years to keep Central Texas air below the current standard, say high ozone levels are not the city's fault. They blame emissions blowing in from petrochemical plants along the Gulf Coast and from coal-fired power plants to the northeast.

Manufacturing and business lobbying groups have opposed more stringent smog standards, which they say would cost Texas companies billions of dollars.

Questionable Security

original story: Police concerned about order to stop weapons screening at Obama rally

updated with: Secret Service defends security at Obama rally in Dallas

An article by the Star-Telegram based in Ft. Worth, Texas brings to light an incident that has many people very concerned. Barack Obama's rally on Wednesday, held in Dallas' Reunion Arena, apparently had some security issues. According to Police, there was a halt of weapons screening ordered by the Secret Service about one hour before Obama was set to begin his speech. Gates at the arena opened at 10am and every person was being scanned for weapons until about 11am, when it was announced to allow the rest of the crowd through without any sort of security. According to attendees from around the country, this apparently isn't the first time this has happened, but has occurred at many political events, many being Obama's.

Several police officers commented anonymously that it worried them that the arena was packed with people who got in without even a cursory inspection. Officers believed that the security was lifted because of the slow moving lines and that many seats remained empty as time was nearing for Obama to begin. However Eric Zahren, a spokesman for the Secret Service in Washington, denied those claims and said that there was no plan in the first place to check every person for weapons and that there was "no deviation" from the "comprehensive and layered" security plan, implemented in "very close cooperation with our law enforcement partners."

What's disturbing to me is a statement made by Dallas Deputy Police Chief T.W. Lawrence. He admitted he was concerned about the many people who entered into the arena unchecked but that the more than 17,000 people attending seemed to be a "friendly crowd." Since when could we tell of a person's character or capabilities based on if they look "friendly" or not? This doesn't make much sense to me, if anything shouldn't security be beefed up even more? With a women and a black man being the top runners for President, I would imagine consistent security should at least be a minimum.

A Poll issued by Star-Telegram:

How would you describe the security at Barack Obama's rally in Dallas?

Excellent 11%

Suitable 6%

A bit subpar 7%

Unacceptable 77%

Total Votes: 924

Two Birds With One Stone...

Levee-wall compromise eliminates need for fence in Hidalgo County

The 2006 decision by President Bush to build a fence (approximately 850 miles) along the U.S. and Mexico border has drawn lots of controversy. Known as the Secure Fence Act, it's purpose is to physically hinder the ability of Mexicans to illegally cross the border into the U.S.
Texas Hidalgo County residents in particular have expressed concerns about the blockade being erected. One main concern is the fact that the wall will take land away from residents and produce an area between the Rio Grande river and the wall that essentially becomes unclaimed land. Not to mention the end of many buisnesses and homes. However a compromise has been reached between the federal government and local officials; to build a levee-wall that will stand at the edge of the Rio Grande. This will serve two purposes, to prevent illegal's trying to cross the border while improving the current levee system.
The important point here is that the wall will stay at the river's edge, preventing a fence that in certain areas will dice up U.S. soil. Surrounding counties are hoping to strike a similar bargin also.