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Opinion

Forum

CITY LIMITS

AT ISSUE: Mayor Bill White has been considering a proposal that would add health standards for hazardous air pollutants to Houston' s nuisance ordinance, allowing the city to fine surrounding industrial plants that do not meet the standards and contribute to pollution within Houston. Two bills have been filed with the support of Rep. Wayne Smith, R-Baytown, and Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, that would make it illegal for a city to enact an ordinance that could be enforced outside of its borders, the Houston Chronicle reported. Should these bills be passed, or should improving Houston' s air quality be the main priority?

White is justified in his actions -- other areas' pollution harms Houston

URSULA HAWKINS: Jackson and Smith are only concerned with how this proposal will affect them and the areas they represent, instead of taking into account how their regions are affecting the city of Houston. They have reacted as if Mayor Bill White is extending the city of Houston' s power to control their areas just for the sake of it, but in reality this proposal is not about control over any neighboring areas. It is about the air quality in Houston, which ultimately affects the people who live here and the world' s growing challenges with global warming. 

If the cities that Jackson and Smith represent are contributing to Houston' s already polluted air, the city of Houston should have every right to fine them for adding to the existing problem. According to the Houston Chronicle, part of Smith' s claim is that "standards should be addressed by those that have responsibility." He must have forgotten that White has such a responsibility -- to ensure Houston is the best city it can be, which is not possible if it continues to harbor dirty air. 

The message is clear: If they do not want Houston to fine industrial plants within nearby cities, Smith and Jackson should make sure Baytown and La Porte keep there own pollutants within their own city limits. If those areas were not contributing to the unhealthy air in Houston, they would have nothing to worry about.

Hawkins is a communication/Spanish sophomore.

Officials should work together to lobby environmental agencies 

SANTIAGO LOPEZ: While one can appreciate Mayor Bill White' s efforts to clean the air in Houston, they would be better expended in lobbying agencies that already enforce such standards, such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

This has been alluded to by one of White' s most outspoken opponents, Smith, who it seems would prefer those agencies designed to protect the environment actually show up in his city and do so. While White is the mayor of Houston, he does not have any authority over Smith' s district.

Perhaps Smith can turn his efforts toward regulating the pollution coming from his district, rather than pointing out that White has no authority to regulate other municipalities besides the one he is mayor of.

In that case, Smith and White could jointly petition the EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to look into what exactly is drifting into the air in Houston and surrounding areas. Surely the two elected officials could convince the agencies to step up the enforcement of current clean air standards or facilitate the creation of stricter guidelines. 

White is looking out for all people in the Houston area, while Smith' s view is too narrow. It' s nice that he is trying to protect companies that do business in his district, but Smith should focus more on the health and well-being of those who live there. 

Lopez is a creative writing senior.

Pollution issue should be resolved by the areas producing it, not White

CHRISTIAN OCHOA: Before everyone starts trying to determine who' s wrong and who' s right, it must be noted that White and the representatives are doing their duty as political figures: representing the best interests of their constituencies. 

White is trying to keep the pollution down for the residents of the greater Houston area, which is home to millions of people who are breathing in pretty nasty stuff. 

Smith and Jackson represent districts that house industrial plants, which not only are a main source of pollutants but are also the livelihood of many Baytown and La Porte residents. 

It' s a tricky issue with no clear-cut answer. 

And while air doesn' t have clear boundaries, Houston residents are stuck with the pollution created by their neighbors. 

In this debate of whether the greater environmental good trumps a financial livelihood, protecting families from threats of job loss takes precedence. 

The power at the mayor' s office shouldn' t stretch from an office in downtown Houston to the waters at La Porte. 

It is the responsibility of city officials in cities with industrial plants to keep an eye out for pollutants. There would be few Houstonians happy if La Porte officials had a say in Houston' s environmental policies. 

Ochoa is a creative writing junior. 
 
 

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