TX, EPA fight over regulations fierce

HOUSTON (AP) - A longstanding tit-for-tat between Texas and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding pollution regulation has grown fierce in recent months.

Both sides and conservation groups agree the battle has put the health of Texas residents and the environment at risk.

Yet, the back-and-forth about everything from who should issue permits to whether state agencies are properly cracking down on polluters shows no signs of slowing down.

The fight has gotten so ugly that the EPA this month said it will directly issue greenhouse gas permits to Texas industries beginning in January after the state openly refused to comply with new federal regulations.

Texas officials said the EPA is putting politics ahead of the environment.

However, the EPA said emissions in Texas are too high and too toxic.