Perry nets endorsement thanks to opposing climate change rules

Gov. Rick Perry's stance against climate change legislation has already won him at least one endorsement.
The Texas Chemical Council on Tuesday threw its support behind Perry's reelection bid. The group said in a press release:
Gov. Perry is a longtime champion of causes important to the Texas chemical industry, including his recent stand against federally proposed cap-and-trade legislation and regulation of CO2 by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is clear that such policies being discussed in Congress would set our nation on the road to the largest tax burden ever levied upon American families.
Implementing such federally proposed regulations would cripple Texas' energy sector, irreparably damaging both the state and national economies and severely impacting national oil and gas supplies. Texas' energy industry fuels the nation, supplying 20 percent of the nation's oil production, one-fourth of the nation's natural gas production, a quarter of the nation's refining capacity, and nearly 60 percent of the nation's chemical manufacturing.
Regulating greenhouse gases could boost demand for natural gas, which generates less greenhouse gas when burned than oil or coal. Greater demand for natural gas might cause prices to rise.
And higher natural gas prices are bad for the Texas chemical industry, which relies on natural gas as a major feedstock. If natural gas prices rise too much compared with oil, Texas chemical makers have difficulty competing with the European chemical makers, which tend to use oil as a feedstock.
Perry has aligned himself with voters who oppose regulation of greenhouse gases. He says Texas has been going green on its own, without federal help. And he questions whether humans contribute to climate change.
Jump for full press release from the chemical group.
Texas Chemical Council Endorses Rick Perry for GovernorThe Texas Chemical Council (TCC) has endorsed Gov. Rick Perry for re-election.
"Governor Rick Perry is a proven leader who has solidified Texas' reputation as the best state in the nation to do business through policies that attract capital investment and generate high-paying, high-quality jobs that sustain our state's economy," said TCC President and CEO Hector L. Rivero. "As a major economic engine since the 1940s, the chemical industry is among the first high-tech industries in Texas and continues to be an innovator through advanced research and development.
"Our products improve the quality of life of every Amer ican and millions of people around the world. Governor Perry's leadership to lower taxes, pass meaningful tort reforms, and provide a fair and balanced regulatory system has enabled the Texas chemical industry to compete in the global economy and keep high paying jobs and investment in Texas."
Gov. Perry is a longtime champion of causes important to the Texas chemical industry, including his recent stand against federally proposed cap-and-trade legislation and regulation of CO2 by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is clear that such policies being discussed in Congress would set our nation on the road to the largest tax burden ever levied upon American families.
"I am thankful to have the support of the Chemical Council, whose member companies represent an integral part of our state's economy and are providing jobs for hardworking Texans," said Gov. Perry. "I am proud of our state's chemical industry and l ook forward to helping maintain its strength in the years to come.&r dquo;
Implementing such federally proposed regulations would cripple Texas' energy sector, irreparably damaging both the state and national economies and severely impacting national oil and gas supplies. Texas' energy industry fuels the nation, supplying 20 percent of the nation's oil production, one-fourth of the nation's natural gas production, a quarter of the nation's refining capacity, and nearly 60 percent of the nation's chemical manufacturing.
The Texas Chemical Council is a statewide trade association of chemical manufacturers in Texas. TCC currently represents 77 member companies who operate more than 200 manufacturing facilities across the state with over $50 billion in physical assets and employing over 74,000 Texans. The chemical industry pays more than $1 billion in state and local taxes each year and is responsible for nearly a half-million Texas jobs. Texas chemical products are the state's larges t export with approximately $35 billion in exports annually.
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