AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Monday asked President Barack Obama to use his executive authority to prevent or delay implementation of stricter pollution standards, saying they will have an "immediate and devastating" effect on the state. The standards have stirred up Texas 'largest energy companies, which say they don ' t have adequate time to meet the deadlines without shutting down plants and jeopardizing the reliability of Texas 'electric grid. Implementation of the rules starts Jan. 1. In the letter, obtained by The Associated Press, Perry said the implementation of the Cross State Air Pollution Rules will have an "immediate and devastating effect on Texas jobs, our economy and our ability to supply the electricity our citizens, schools and employers need. " Perry released the letter as he tries to shore up support among conservatives in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. The White House said the new standards will save lives. "We stand behind common sense, vital Clean Air Act protections for public health and clean air," White House spokesman Clark Stevens said. "This rule will prevent over 34,000 premature deaths each year and ensure that American families aren 't suffering the consequences of harmful air pollution generated far from home." (Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org …
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